The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial of an immunotherapy drug that will target mesothelioma. Verismo Therapeutics, a Philadelphia-based biotechnology company, will begin testing its SynKIR-110 to assess its safety, its tolerability, and its preliminary effectiveness.
Phase I Trial to Include Mesothelioma Patients
SynKIR-110 is a next generation approach to cell therapy that specifically targets mesothelin expressing solid tumors, including those found in mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma. Working with the KIR-CAR platform technology that Verismo Therapeutics developed, the process reduces the natural T cell exhaustion that can occur when the cells are not bound to the tumor. It also enhances surface stability to enhance T cell performance.
The KIR-CAR T cell technology that Verismo developed was designed with advanced solid tumors like malignant mesothelioma in mind. These tumors are aggressive and deadly: the five-year survival rate for mesothelin expressing ovarian cancer is 49.7%, for cholangiocarcinoma is just 30%, and mesothelioma is the deadliest of all, with a 5-year survival rate of just 10%.
Clinical Trial for Mesothelioma Test will Take Place at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
The Phase I clinical trial will begin enrolling mesothelioma patients and others in the first quarter of 2023, with the testing being conducted at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In announcing the Phase I trial, the CEO of Verismo, Dr Bryan Kim, said, “Pre-clinical data have shown enhanced efficacy in murine models with no additional safety concerns. The FDA’s clearance of our SynKIR-110 IND represents a new chapter for Verismo as we initiate the first-ever clinical trial for KIR-CAR T cells. It also validates the years of innovative research and hard work by industry pioneers at Penn and the Verismo team.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you would like more information on clinical testing, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
