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Marker Therapeutics Announces First Lymphoma Patient Treated with MT-601 in Phase 1 Clinical Trial
Marker Therapeutics initiated APOLLO trial for the treatment of lymphoma patients who have relapsed after anti-CD19 CAR T therapy in the first quarter of 2023
About this update from Marker Therapeutics, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Marker Therapeutics initiated APOLLO trial for the treatment of lymphoma patients who have relapsed after anti-CD19 CAR T therapy in the first quarter of 2023\nHOUSTON, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRKR), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focusing on developing next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumor indications, today announced that the first patient has been treated in the company sponsored Phase 1 multicenter APOLLO trial investigating MT-601, a multi-tumor-associated antigen (multiTAA)-specific T cell product targeting six antigens, for the treatment of patients with lymphoma who have failed or are ineligible to receive anti-CD19 CAR T cell treatment. Adoptive T cell transfer, such as genetically modified T cells expressing anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting CD19 antigens, is a therapeutic modality that has recently demonstrated impressive clinical impact in patients with large B-cell malignancies who have failed more than two lines of treatment. Administration of anti-CD19 CAR T cells to patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas have been a transformative treatment paradigm because of their significant benefit relative to the standard of care. However, for various reasons, including low antigen levels and loss of CD19 antigen expression, anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy is associated with relapse rates of up to 60%, within one year (Chong et al, N Engl J Med, 2021). In addition, a number of patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas are ineligible for anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy due to the associated toxicities. A recent Phase 1 study conducted by Baylor College of Medicine (TACTAL) investigated the safety and efficacy of a multiTAA-specific T cell product that recognizes five tumor antigens in both Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Vasileiou et al, J Clin Oncol, 2021). Treatment with this multiTAA-specific T cell product resulted in positive patient outcomes with some patients remaining in complete remission at the 72 months follow-up. Marker is developing MT-601, an autologous T cell product that is directed against six tumor associated antigens for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma who are either ineligible to receive or have failed ant...