Benzinga | Jan 10, 2022 08:28AM EST

Equillium Highlights Multiple Abstracts For Presentation At Transplantation, Cellular Meetings Feb 2-6, 2022

Equillium, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQ), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing itolizumab to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders with high unmet medical need, today announced that three abstracts were accepted for presentation at the Transplantation & Cellular Meetings of the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, and the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research. The hybrid meetings will take place virtually and in person at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, February 2 -- 6, 2022.

Title: Updated Interim Results from the Equate Study: Preliminary Safety and Efficacy of Itolizumab, a Novel Targeted Anti-CD6 Therapy, in Newly Diagnosed Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

First Author: Dr. John Koreth, associate professor of medicine, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School

Poster Number: 372

The abstract highlights safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and efficacy data from the ongoing EQUATE study in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) (NCT03763318). The data demonstrates promising outcomes in subjects with Grade III-IV aGVHD patients and supports the planned pivotal study of itolizumab in first-line aGVHD.

Title: Itolizumab, a Novel Targeted Anti-CD6 Therapy, Induces Cleavage of Cell Surface CD6 and Rapid Onset of Efficacy in Subjects with Newly Diagnosed Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

First Author: Cherie Ng, Senior Director of Research, Equillium, Inc.

Poster Number: 371

The abstract highlights data demonstrating a rapid and durable decrease in cell surface CD6 and a corresponding increase in serum CD6 in subjects with aGVHD. An association between itolizumab concentrations and clinical efficacy was observed, highlighting the importance of achieving high concentrations early in the treatment period to maximize a pharmacodynamic effect and efficacy.

Title: The CD6-ALCAM Pathway Promotes Effector T Cell Migration

First Author: Valeria Marrocco, Scientist, Equillium, Inc.

Poster Number: 362

The abstract outlines data that suggests the CD6-ALCAM pathway is important in the chemokine-driven migration of T cells through endothelial layers and that consequently, blockade of this pathway will not only inhibit T effector cell activity, but may aide in regulating T effector cell infiltration into inflamed organs.

Poster Presentations Thursday, February 3 from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm CT and Saturday, February 5 from 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm CT.

About Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)

GVHD is a multisystem disorder that is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (allo-HSCT) caused by the transplanted immune system recognizing and attacking the recipient's body. Symptoms of GVHD include rash, itching, skin discoloration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice, as well as eye dryness and irritation.

GVHD is the leading cause of non-relapse mortality in cancer patients receiving allo-HSCT, and its risk limits the number and type of patients receiving HSCT. GVHD results in high morbidity and mortality, with five-year survival of approximately 53% in patients who respond to steroid treatment and mortality as high as 95% in patients who do not respond to steroids. There are no approved treatments for first-line aGVHD. Published literature (MacMillan et al., 2015) describes background response rates to high-dose steroid administration in severe high-risk patients as 43% overall response and 27% complete response.