Benzinga | Nov 12, 2021 07:05AM EST

Adaptimmune Reports Translational Data From Co.'s Phase 1 SURPASS Trial Indicating Adding AKT Inhibitor To Manufacturing May Contribute To Sustained Antitumor Activity Presented At Society For Immunotherapy Of Cancer

- Inhibition of AKT signaling during ex vivo T-cell expansion phase of manufacturing provides further proliferative potential and enhanced memory phenotype of next-gen SPEAR T-cells -

- Data suggests that addition of AKT inhibitor (AKTi) during manufacture can remodel gene expression towards better proliferation or better cytotoxicity -

- AKTi increases median persistence post-infusion, and in some patients, significant

expansion is implied by higher peak recovery -

PHILADELPHIA and OXFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom, Nov. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ:ADAP), a leader in cell therapy to treat cancer, will present translational data from the Phase 1 SURPASS trial during the poster session at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. (or virtual) (Abstract #373) from November 12-14, 2021. In addition, the Company will present a data update from four patients treated in the radiation sub-study of the Phase 1 trial with afami-cel (Abstract #376).

"The SURPASS data show that the addition of AKTi along with next-gen enhancements results in an improved and more potent SPEAR T-cell product," said Karen Miller, Adaptimmune's Senior Vice President, Pipeline Research. "The data we continue to generate in the Phase 1 SURPASS trial shows promising responses for patients across multiple solid tumor indications. We will continue to explore more next-gen enhancements and manufacturing improvements, informed by our ongoing translational research, to deliver the best cell therapies we can for people with cancer."

Addition of AKTi during manufacturing results in improved phenotype and proliferative potential of SPEAR T-cells -- attributes that may contribute to more sustained antitumor immune responses

In vitro analyses of manufactured product samples

* ADP-A2M4CD8 SPEAR T-cells were manufactured with and without AKTi Samples manufactured with AKTi expanded more effectively during manufacturing compared to samples without Flow cytometry analyses of ADP-A2M4CD8 SPEAR T-cells demonstrated increased stem cell memory content of the transduced population in samples manufactured in the presence of AKTi compared to those manufactured without This increased stem cell memory content may be beneficial in generating a more sustained immune response in patients

* Further experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of AKTi on SPEAR T-cell manufacturing: surplus pre-infusion apheresis material from patients in the Phase 1 trial of afami-cel trial was remanufactured into research-grade afami-cel with or without AKTi In vitro functional analyses showed that manufacturing afami-cel SPEAR T-cells with AKTi can remodel gene expression in favor of improved proliferation or cytotoxicity

Post-infusion analyses

* ADP-A2M4CD8 SPEAR T-cells manufactured with AKTi demonstrated higher median persistence in peripheral blood of patients in the Phase 1 SURPASS trial, by peak vector copy number and by peak percent recovery, compared to those manufactured without

* Serum cytokine responses, measured in peripheral blood of patients who received product manufactured with AKTi (n=14) showed similar or greater induction of host immune response compared to those who received product without AKTi (n=6)

Radiation sub-study (closed to enrollment in July 2021) of the Phase 1 trial with afami-cel

* As of December 27, 2020 (data cut-off), 4 patients received low-dose radiation and afami-cel

* Overall response rate was 33%, 1 partial response (PR) (melanoma; reported in 2019) out of 3 evaluable patients

* Disease control rate was 100%, 1 PR, 2 stable diseases (SD) (1 patient with ovarian and 1 patient with head and neck cancer) out of 3 evaluable patients

* Serum cytokine profiles were consistent with afami-cel monotherapy, confirming no apparent impact of low-dose radiation on persistence and peripheral immune response.

* There was greater detection of SPEAR T-cells in tumor biopsies when infusion followed low-dose radiation, compared to samples from patients who received afami-cel monotherapy in the Phase 1 trial