China’s Qilu Pharmaceutical showcased compelling data for its combination drug QL1706 (iparomlimab and tuvonralimab) as a potential treatment for cervical cancer at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Congress 2023. The focus was on a multi-center, single-arm Phase II study conducted in China, evaluating QL1706 in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, for first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.
QL1706: Unique Antibody Combination
Developed by US biotech Qilu Puget Sound Biotherapeutic Corp., QL1706 (PSB205) combines unique anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies produced by a single cell line using the company’s proprietary MabPair technology platform. This innovative approach results in molecules that offer advantages over traditional bispecific antibodies. The anti-CTLA-4 component of QL1706 is engineered with a shorter half-life to mitigate side effects associated with CTLA-4 blockade.
Phase II Study Results
The Phase II study enrolled 60 patients, divided into two cohorts. As of April 2023, among 58 evaluable patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was a remarkable 81.0%, with 8 achieving complete response (CR) and 39 achieving partial response (PR). The disease control rate (DCR) stood at 98.3%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14.3 months overall, while the median overall survival (OS) had not yet been reached. Notably, in cohort 2, the median PFS was 16.4 months. Qilu interprets these results as indicative of QL1706’s potential as a treatment for cervical cancer, irrespective of PD-1 status.-Fineline Info & Tech
