China-based Qilu Pharmaceutical has announced the presentation of clinical data for two of its pipeline candidates, QL1706 and QL1209, at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023. The data highlights the therapeutic potential of these drugs in treating various forms of cancer, showcasing Qilu’s commitment to innovation in oncology.
QL1706: Dual-Targeted Antibody for Cervical Cancer
QL1706, a dual-targeted antibody against programmed death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), is under development for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer. A Phase II trial assessing the combination of QL1706 with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, in first-line recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer, reported a median follow-up time of 14.0 months as of April 24, 2023. The trial demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 81.0%, with 8 patients achieving complete response (CR) and 39 achieving partial response (PR), resulting in a disease control rate (DCR) of 98.3%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14.3 months, and median overall survival (OS) has not yet been achieved.
QL1209: Biosimilar to Roche’s Perjeta
QL1209, a biosimilar version of Roche’s Perjeta (pertuzumab), has been evaluated for clinical equivalency in a Phase III study as neoadjuvant therapy for early or locally advanced HER2 positive and hormone receptor negative breast cancer, in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel. The study included 516 patients and showed that QL1209 matches the originator drug in terms of clinical efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity, qualifying it as a biosimilar.
Future Implications
The positive results from the clinical trials of QL1706 and QL1209 presented at ESMO 2023 underscore Qilu Pharmaceutical’s role in advancing cancer treatment options. These findings pave the way for potential regulatory submissions and, ultimately, broader patient access to these promising therapies.-Fineline Info & Tech
