In a recent study conducted in China, Akeso’s experimental drug ivonescimab demonstrated a significant improvement in survival rates for patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer. The study, which was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, revealed that patients treated with ivonescimab and chemotherapy lived an average of 27.9 months compared to 23.7 months for those receiving BeOne Medicines’ immunotherapy Tevimbra and chemotherapy.
Study Details and Implications
The trial involved 532 patients with newly diagnosed advanced stage 3 or stage 4 squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Ivonescimab, a bispecific antibody targeting both the PD-1 protein, which helps cancer evade the immune system, and VEGF, which promotes tumor growth, showed a 40% reduction in disease progression or death compared to Tevimbra. Despite the promising results, Dr. David Spigel from the Sarah Cannon Research Institute noted that ethnic differences could affect the drug’s efficacy in broader populations.
While 69% of patients on ivonescimab experienced serious side effects, compared to 59% in the standard treatment group, the drug’s dual-target approach and favorable risk-benefit profile suggest it could become a new standard of care for advanced squamous NSCLC. However, the data from this China-only trial will not be used for U.S. approval. Summit Therapeutics holds rights to the drug in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan, while Akeso retains rights in China and elsewhere.
Future Prospects
Dr. Julie Gralow, ASCO’s chief medical officer, mentioned that a separate global trial comparing ivonescimab with Merck’s Keytruda is underway, with interim results expected this year. If these results mirror the Chinese study’s benefits, it could lead to U.S. approval. The development of bispecific antibodies like ivonescimab marks a significant advancement in cancer treatment, potentially offering new hope for patients worldwide.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
