Iovance Biotherapeutics Announces Clinical Data for LN-145 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Rhea-AI Summary

Iovance Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: IOVA) announced promising clinical results for its TIL therapy LN-145 in relapsed/refractory metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). The ongoing study showed a 21.4% overall response rate and a 64.3% disease control rate among patients previously treated with immunotherapies. Notably, the median duration of response was not reached within an 8.2-month follow-up. The company also initiated a registration-supporting trial, IOV-LUN-202, for LN-145 in second-line mNSCLC, aiming to address significant unmet medical needs.

Positive

• 21.4% overall response rate in mNSCLC patients with prior therapies.
• 64.3% disease control rate reported in the study.
• Median duration of response was not reached, indicating prolonged effects.
• First patient dosed in registration-supporting study IOV-LUN-202.
• Positive commentary from Chief Medical Officer about unmet needs and potential.

Negative

• None.

21.4% Overall Response Rate (ORR) in Relapsed/Refractory Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (mNSCLC) Patients Following One or More Prior Systemic Therapies Including Immunotherapy

First Patient Dosed in Registration-Supporting IOV-LUN-202 Study in Second Line mNSCLC

SAN CARLOS, Calif., June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA), a late-stage biotechnology company developing novel T cell-based cancer immunotherapies, today announced clinical data for its tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy LN-145 in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) who enrolled in Cohort 3B of the ongoing basket study IOV-COM-202. Cohort 3B enrolled patients that had progressed on prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, including patients with oncogene-driven tumors who received prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. The initial clinical results are available in a slide presentation on the Iovance website here.

The overall response rate (ORR) by investigator per RECIST 1.1 was 21.4% (n=28, one complete response and five partial responses) and the disease control rate (DCR) was 64.3% following one-time treatment with LN-145 monotherapy, including two responders with PD-L1 negative tumors. Median duration of response was not reached at a median study follow up of 8.2 months. The treatment-emergent adverse event profile was consistent with the underlying disease and known adverse event profiles of non-myeloablative lymphodepletion and IL-2. All patients treated in Cohort 3B received prior anti-PD-1/L1 therapy and all six responding patients also received prior chemotherapy. Historically, ORRs of approximately 20% were reported with ICIs as second-line therapy in ICI-naïve patients who progressed on front-line chemotherapy. Iovance anticipates presenting additional Cohort 3B data at a medical meeting in the second half of 2021.

Friedrich Graf Finckenstein, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Iovance, stated, “There remains a very significant unmet need to increase response rates and prolong survival in the second line non-small cell lung cancer treatment setting. The initial data for LN-145 in this difficult to treat patient population is very promising.”

The Cohort 3B data using Iovance’s TIL cell therapy are the first reported clinical data on TIL administered as a one-time monotherapy in mNSCLC from a prospective, multi-center study, and add significantly to the existing scientific data previously reported by Iovance’s collaborator H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.

Iovance also announced today that it dosed the first patient in IOV-LUN-202. Iovance previously opened the IOV-LUN-202 trial to investigate LN-145 in second-line mNSCLC where patients have progressed on one prior ICI and chemotherapy. This trial is designed to be supportive of registration.

Dr. Graf Finckenstein also stated: “We are excited to share our initial results for LN-145 in non-small cell lung cancer, a new potential indication for Iovance TIL cell therapy, which show positive outcomes in patients with high unmet medical need. We see a substantial opportunity to advance LN-145 in the post-ICI setting for patients with lung cancer. These data also have the potential to drive momentum with enrollment in our registration supporting study, IOV-LUN-202, as well as in two additional non-small cell lung cancer cohorts in IOV-COM-202, and we move ahead with great enthusiasm.”

About Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Iovance aims to improve patient care by making T cell-based immunotherapies broadly accessible for the treatment of patients with solid tumors and blood cancers. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy uses a patient’s own immune cells to attack cancer. TIL are extracted from a patient’s own tumor tissue, expanded through a proprietary process, and infused back into the patient. Upon infusion, TIL reach tumor tissue, where they attack cancer cells. The company has completed dosing in pivotal programs in patients with metastatic melanoma and cervical cancer. In addition, the company’s TIL cell therapy is being investigated in a registration-supporting study for the treatment of patients with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical studies are also underway to evaluate TIL in earlier stage cancers in combination with currently approved treatments, and to investigate Iovance peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) T cell therapy for blood cancers. For more information, please visit www.iovance.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements” of Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). All such written or oral statements made in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the PSLRA. Without limiting the foregoing, we may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and assessments made in light of management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no duty to update or revise any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, achievements and developments to be materially different from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from forward-looking statements are described in the sections titled "Risk Factors" in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and include, but are not limited to, the following substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties inherent in our business: the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks related to the timing of and our ability to successfully develop, submit, obtain and maintain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, our product candidates, and our ability to successfully commercialize any product candidates for which we obtain FDA approval; preliminary and interim clinical results, which may include efficacy and safety results, from ongoing clinical trials may not be reflected in the final analyses of our ongoing or subsequent clinical trials or subgroups within these trials; the risk that enrollment may need to be adjusted for our trials and cohorts within those trials based on FDA and other regulatory agency input; the new version of the protocol which further defines the patient population to include more advanced patients in our cervical cancer trial may have an adverse effect on the results reported to date; the risk that we may be required to conduct additional clinical trials or modify ongoing or future clinical trials based on feedback from the FDA or other regulatory authorities; the risk that our interpretation of the results of our clinical trials or communications with the FDA may differ from the interpretation of such results or communications by the FDA; the acceptance by the market of our product candidates and their potential reimbursement by payors, if approved; our ability or inability to manufacture our therapies using third party manufacturers or our own facility may adversely affect our potential commercial launch; the results of clinical trials with collaborators using different manufacturing processes may not be reflected in our sponsored trials; the risk that unanticipated expenses may decrease our estimated cash balances and increase our estimated capital requirements; and other factors, including general economic conditions and regulatory developments, not within our control.

CONTACTS

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc:
Sara Pellegrino, IRC
Vice President, Investor Relations & Public Relations
650-260-7120 ext. 264
Sara.Pellegrino@iovance.com

Solebury Trout:
Zara Lockshin
646.378.2960
zlockshin@soleburytrout.com

 

FAQ

What were the results of Iovance Biotherapeutics' LN-145 therapy in mNSCLC?

Iovance's LN-145 therapy achieved a 21.4% overall response rate and a 64.3% disease control rate in mNSCLC patients with prior treatments.

What is the purpose of the IOV-LUN-202 trial?

The IOV-LUN-202 trial aims to explore the efficacy of LN-145 in second-line treatment for mNSCLC patients who have previously progressed on an ICI and chemotherapy.

How does LN-145 therapy work?

LN-145 therapy utilizes tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) extracted from a patient's own tumor to target and kill cancer cells.

When will additional data on the IOV-COM-202 study be presented?

Iovance plans to present more data from the IOV-COM-202 study in the second half of 2021.

What are the implications of the clinical data for Iovance Biotherapeutics and investors?

The positive clinical data and initiation of the IOV-LUN-202 trial represent potential for market growth and investor interest, addressing a significant unmet medical need.