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Nektar Therapeutics Announces Publication of Two Manuscripts on Lead Immuno-oncology Candidate, Bempegaldesleukin (Bempeg) in Nature Communications
Results Show How Bempeg Works Synergistically with Multiple Immune-Based Therapies to Enhance T-Cell-Mediated Tumor Control SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3, 2020
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[{"type":"text","content":"Results Show How Bempeg Works Synergistically with Multiple Immune-Based Therapies to Enhance T-Cell-Mediated Tumor Control\n\n\nSAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) today announced the publication of preclinical data on its lead immuno-oncology candidate, NKTR-214, bempegaldesleukin (bempeg) in two manuscripts in Nature Communications. Bempeg is an investigational CD122-preferential interleukin-2 (IL-2) pathway agonist designed to provide activation and proliferation of cancer-killing immune cells, known as CD8+ effector T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The published data demonstrate that bempeg, in combination with immune-based therapies including checkpoint inhibition (CPI), antigen-specific vaccination and adoptive cell transfer (ACT) therapy, enhanced T-cell mediated tumor control by selectively expanding effector T cells (Teffs) over T regulatory cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment.\nThe first manuscript, titled \"Bempegaldesleukin selectively depletes intratumoral Tregs and potentiates T cell-mediated cancer therapy,\" was published online and can be accessed here. The research was conducted by a team at MD Anderson Cancer Center, led by former tenured professor, Willem W. Overwijk, Ph.D., who currently serves as Vice President, Oncology Research at Nektar Therapeutics. \n\"Using preclinical models, we were able to demonstrate how bempeg potentiates both CPI and vaccination strategies by expanding and maintaining tumor infiltrating T cells and depleting intratumoral Tregs by a novel mechanism of cytokine release to drive efficient intratumoral Treg depletion,\" said Dr. Overwijk. \"Our findings further define the mechanism of action of bempeg and highlight the rationale for its clinical application in combination with immune-based therapies for patients with cancer.\" \nIn the study, the activity and mechanism of action of bempeg was evaluated in combination with PD-1 and CTLA-4 CPI therapy and also with antigen-specific vaccination in preclinical animal models. The researchers concluded that bempeg in combination with PD-1 CPI therapy resulted in a higher response rate, prolonged disease control and yielded more complete responses in a variety of preclinical tumor types including colon cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. In addition, bem...