Immunocore doubles up on T-cell engagers in eye cancer

Immunocore doubles up on T-cell engagers in eye cancer

U.K. biotech Immunocore has reported an estimated 70% two-year survival rate among 17 evaluable first-line metastatic uveal melanoma patients given its experimental drug brenetafusp alongside approved Kimmtrak (tebentafusp), supporting plans for a randomized Phase 2/3 trial.

Why it matters: The early result exceeds the 45% two-year survival seen with Kimmtrak alone in its landmark Phase 3 trial, raising the possibility that attacking two tumor targets could improve on the existing treatment for this rare and aggressive eye cancer.

“These encouraging Phase 1 data suggest combining brenetafusp with tebentafusp may offer a meaningful new option for HLA-A*02:01-positive patients with metastatic uveal melanoma,” said Mohammed Dar, Immunocore’s chief medical officer, in a press release.

Zoom in: At the June data cutoff, 26 patients had received both drugs; the efficacy results highlighted 17 evaluable first-line patients. The combination shrank tumors in 29% and controlled disease in 71%, with median progression-free survival of 8.1 months and a median response duration of 24.1 months.

Median overall survival had not been reached aft...