Corvus Pharmaceuticals Announces New Data Highlighting Potential of Ciforadenant to Overcome Immunotherapy Resistance in Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer
The data were presented today in an oral session at the
“These studies reveal important details on the role of the adenosine pathway on the immunobiology of mCRPC, including the importance of myeloid cells and the adenosine gene signature,” said
SITC Oral Presentation Overview and Key Data
Previous studies have shown that mCRPC is resistant to therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. While tumor associated macrophages are known to contribute to immunosuppression with the tumor microenvironment, this study identified SPP1+ myeloid cells as a potential critical mediator of resistance to immunotherapy. The team led by
The researchers created a murine model that confirmed that SPP1+ macrophages were associated with suppressed immunity to prostate cancer and shortened overall survival. Further analysis of the related genetic pathways revealed involvement of adenosine signaling through the adenosine 2A receptor. The researchers utilized ciforadenant to inhibit adenosine signaling in this model and the key findings demonstrating its potential to overcome this resistance to immunotherapy include:
- Ciforadenant treatment associated with reduced immunosuppression and enhanced sensitivity to anti-PD1 therapy in the model
- Ciforadenant treatment associated with reduced SPP1+ macrophage infiltration in the tumors, supporting a shift to a less immunosuppressive myeloid environment
- The Adenosine Gene Signature, a biomarker that reflects adenosine induced immunosuppression in the tumor, was elevated in SPP1+ macrophages
- Results from the model were consistent with data from the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of ciforadenant in patients with mCRPC, which included data from 35 patients with advanced mCRPC, including 11 who received ciforadenant as a monotherapy (100 mg twice daily) and 24 that received ciforadenant (100 mg twice daily) in combination with atezolizumab (840 mg delivered intravenously every two weeks). 5 of 24 (21%) receiving combination therapy had PSA partial responses defined as PSA reductions >30%, compared to 1 of 11 (9%) receiving monotherapy
About Corvus Pharmaceuticals
Corvus Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of ITK inhibition as a new approach to immunotherapy for a broad range of cancer and immune diseases. The Company’s lead product candidate is soquelitinib, an investigational, oral, small molecule drug that selectively inhibits ITK. Its other clinical-stage candidates are being developed for a variety of cancer indications. For more information, visit www.corvuspharma.com.
About Ciforadenant
Ciforadenant (CPI-444) is an investigational small molecule, oral, checkpoint inhibitor designed to disable a tumor’s ability to subvert attack by the immune system by blocking the binding of adenosine to immune cells present in the tumor microenvironment. Adenosine, a metabolite of ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate), is produced within the tumor microenvironment where it may bind to the adenosine A2a receptor present on immune cells and block their activity. Ciforadenant has been shown to block the immunosuppressive effects of myeloid cells present in tumors and preclinical studies published in 2018 demonstrated synergy with combinations of anti PD1 and anti-CTLA4 antibodies.
Adenosine Gene Signature
The adenosine gene signature is a biomarker that reflects adenosine induced immunosuppression in the tumor. These genes express chemokines that recruit myeloid cells including immunosuppressive tumor associated myeloid cells, which are thought to mediate resistance to anti-PD-(L)1 treatment.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to the potential efficacy of the Company’s product candidates including ciforadenant; the potential use of ciforadenant to treat metastatic renal cell cancer and mCRPC, including the potential to overcome resistance to immunotherapy; and the potential for the adenosine gene signature to select patients most likely to respond to treatment. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “seek,” “will,” “may” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to risks detailed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Chief Financial Officer
+1-650-900-4522
llea@corvuspharma.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Real Chemistry
+1-949-903-4750
sseapy@realchemistry.com
Source: Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.