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IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITOR RESISTANCE
Checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer treatment. When these treatments work, they have huge benefits for cancer patients.
• However, not all patients respond – in several major indications, response rate is less than 50%
• Many lose effectiveness (acquired resistance)
• Many cancers have response rates below 10%
• Next generation therapies combine multiple classes to improve response, but also increase immune-related toxicity
Axelopran in immuno-oncology
Even for immunologically hot tumors, response rates are typically <50%
UNMET NEED
A therapeutic that increases checkpoint inhibitor responsiveness of both hot and cold tumors – without increasing toxicity
CHALLENGE
Multiple redundant mechanisms of immune escape with
selective pressure for resistance. Combination therapies use multi-prong attacks to target tumor cells, tumor microenvironment and enhancing overall immune fitness and cell infiltration.
Axelopran with checkpoint inhibitors shows a significant impact in head and neck, melanoma, colon and breast cancers
• Our lead indication is in recurrent/metastatic head & neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), CPS ≥1 - in combination with 1st line anti-PD1.
• Strong evidence for the role of opioid cooling of the tumor micro environment and antagonist synergy with ICIs
• High unmet need - quantified by low ORR today
• Broad label for leading ICI therapies today - not restricted by MSI-• H/TMB/dMMR or oncogene exclusions
• High prevalence of biomarker eligible patients (PD-L1/TPS/CPS)
• Small number of uncomplicated regimes in the indication – 1-2 ICIs dominant, limited complexity of combination therapy with chemo and targeted therapies, single ICI vs. dual (CTLA-4, LAG-3)
