Carol Wong

CTGF is a secreted matricellular protein with very complex biology. It has been shown to modulate many signaling pathways leading to cell adhesion and migration, angiogenesis, myofibroblast activation, and extracellular matrix deposition and remodeling, which together lead to tissue remodeling and fibrosis. It has been reported in the literature that inhibition of CTGF expression by siRNA prevents CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and can reverse fibrosis when administered after significant collagen deposition is observed. A monoclonal antibody to CTGF that is currently in clinical development (FG-3019) has demonstrated the ability to reverse vascular stiffening and improve cardiac function in a rat model of diabetic complications. FG-3019 has also exhibited activity in a murine radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis model. When FG-3019 was administered to mice after a significant radiation-induced increase in lung density could be observed by CT imaging, the density of the lungs was observed to decrease over the period during which the antibody was administered and to remain stable after therapy had ceased. When considered together, these data indicate that inhibition of CTGF can prevent and reverse the process of fibrosis.

The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway is crucial in mitigating the deleterious effects of oxygen deprivation. HIF-alpha is an essential component of the oxygen-sensing mechanisms and under normoxic conditions is targeted for degradation via hydroxylation by HIF-prolyl hydroxylases. Several HIF-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (PHIs) induced erythropoietin (epo) expression in vitro and in mice, with peak epo expression ranging from 5.6- to 207-fold above control animals. Furthermore, several PHIs induced fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression in primary human erythroid cells in vitro, as determined by flow cytometry. One PHI, FG-2216, was further tested in a nonhuman primate model without and with chronic phlebotomy. FG-2216 was orally bioavailable and induced significant and reversible Epo induction in vivo (82- to 309-fold at 60 mg/kg). Chronic oral dosing in male rhesus macaques was well tolerated, significantly increased erythropoiesis, and prevented anemia induced by weekly phlebotomy. Furthermore, modest increases in HbF-containing red cells and reticulocytes were demonstrated by flow cytometry, though significant increases in HbF were not demonstrated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). HIF PHIs represent a novel class of molecules with broad potential clinical application for congenital and acquired anemias.

Pancreatic cancer is highly aggressive and refractory to most existing therapies. Past studies have shown that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression is elevated in human pancreatic adenocarcinomas and some pancreatic cancer cell lines. To address whether and how CTGF influences tumor growth, we generated pancreatic tumor cell lines that overexpress different levels of human CTGF. The effect of CTGF overexpression on cell proliferation was measured in vitro in monolayer culture, suspension culture, or soft agar, and in vivo in tumor xenografts. Although there was no effect of CTGF expression on proliferation in two-dimensional cultures, anchorage-independent growth (AIG) was enhanced. The capacity of CTGF to enhance AIG in vitro was linked to enhanced pancreatic tumor growth in vivo when these cells were implanted s.c. in nude mice. Administration of a neutralizing CTGF-specific monoclonal antibody, FG-3019, had no effect on monolayer cell proliferation, but blocked AIG in soft agar. Consistent with this observation, anti-CTGF treatment of mice bearing established CTGF-expressing tumors abrogated CTGF-dependent tumor growth and inhibited lymph node metastases without any toxicity observed in normal tissue. Together, these studies implicate CTGF as a new target in pancreatic cancer and suggest that inhibition of CTGF with a human monoclonal antibody may control primary and metastatic tumor growth.

Abstract Background: The use of a clonal master engineered induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line as a renewable source for the mass production of immune effector cells offers distinct advantages over existing patient (pt)- and donor-derived cell-based cancer immunotherapy approaches, including off-the-shelf availability for broad pt access and multi-dose administration. FT596 is an iPSC-derived, off-the-shelf, CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cell therapy capable of multi-antigen targeting in combination with monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies. FT596 has three anti-tumor modalities: (1) a proprietary CD19-targeting CAR; (2) a novel high-affinity, non-cleavable CD16 Fc receptor that enables tumor targeting and enhanced antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity in combination with a therapeutic mAb; and (3) IL-15/IL-15 receptor fusion promoting cytokine-autonomous persistence. Preclinical in vivo models of leukemia and lymphoma demonstrate potent CAR-mediated efficacy of FT596 against CD19+ tumor cells and activity against both CD19+ and CD19- tumor cells when combined with the anti-CD20 agent rituximab (Goodridge et al. 2019). Methods: FT596 is being investigated in a multicenter, Phase I clinical trial in pts with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell lymphomas (BCLs) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04245722). Conditioning chemotherapy (fludarabine 30 mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m 2 on Days -5 to -3) is administered followed by a single dose of FT596 as monotherapy (Regimen A) or combined with rituximab (R) 375 mg/m 2 (Regimen B1) or obinutuzumab 1000 mg/m 2 (Regimen B2) on Day -4. FT596 single-dose levels between 30 and 900 million cells are being tested. Pts experiencing clinical benefit may receive a second cycle of conditioning followed by a single dose of FT596 with FDA approval (Cycle 2). Primary objectives are to determine the recommended Phase II dose of FT596 and safety and tolerability. Additional key objectives include preliminary anti-tumor activity per the Lugano Classification, pharmacokinetics, and anti-product immunogenicity. Results: As of a data cutoff date of 25 June 2021, 20 pts with R/R BCL (12 with aggressive histology, 8 indolent) were treated in dose escalation with FT596, including 10 in Regimen A and 10 in Regimen B1 (3 with 30 million cells, 4 with 90 million cells, and 3 with 300 million cells in each regimen). Pts had received a median of 4 prior therapies, with 7 having received CAR T-cell therapy and 5 with autologous stem cell transplant. Ten of 20 pts were refractory to last prior therapy. No dose-limiting toxicities were reported with either regimen. No graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were observed. Two cases of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) were reported (one Gr 1 and one Gr 2). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events of any grade were neutrophil count decreased (85%), nausea (75%), anemia (50%), WBC count decreased (45%), fatigue and platelet count decreased (40% each), and peripheral edema (35%). No B- or T-cell mediated anti-product responses were observed. Of 17 efficacy-evaluable pts, 5 of 8 in Regimen A and 4 of 9 in Regimen B achieved an objective response after the first FT596 treatment cycle. At single-dose levels of ≥90 million cells, 8 of 11 efficacy-evaluable pts achieved an objective response, including 7 complete responses (CR). Of 4 pts with prior CAR T-cell therapy treated at ≥90 million cells, 2 achieved CR. The FDA approved all requests for FT596 retreatment. Seven of 9 responders received Cycle 2; 1 pt with CR elected not to receive Cycle 2, and 1 pt with partial response (PR) experienced disease progression prior to initiation of Cycle 2. Five pts (4 with CR, 1 with PR after Cycle 1) completed Cycle 2, and 2 pts initiated Cycle 2 after data cutoff. CR was maintained after Cycle 2 in all 4 pts with CR, while the 1 pt with PR experienced a deepening PR after Cycle 2. No CRS, ICANS, or GvHD were reported with Cycle 2. Conclusions: FT596 monotherapy or in combination with R was well tolerated and demonstrated activity in pts with R/R BCL, including in pts previously treated with CAR T-cell therapy. Administration of a second FT596 treatment cycle was well tolerated with evidence of continuing clinical benefit. Dose escalation of FT596 is ongoing. Updated clinical and translational data will be presented at the conference. Disclosures Bachanova: Gamida Cell: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KaryoPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Research Funding; FATE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Ghobadi: Wugen: Consultancy; Atara: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy. Patel: Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; BeiGene: Consultancy; Morphosys: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; MEI Pharma: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Lilly: Consultancy. Park: Kite Pharma: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Artiva: Consultancy; Minerva: Consultancy; Curocel: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Affyimmune: Consultancy; Kura Oncology: Consultancy; Servier: Consultancy; Autolus: Consultancy; Intellia: Consultancy; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; PrecisionBio: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Flinn: Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Nurix Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Rhizen Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Yingli Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Forty Seven: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; MorphoSys: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: All Consultancy and Research Funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Teva: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Curis: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; IGM Biosciences: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Incyte: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Acerta Pharma: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Iksuda Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute; ArQule: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Verastem: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Unum Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Agios: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Seagen: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: All research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: All consultancy and research funding payments made to Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Research Funding; Calithera Biosciences: Other: All research