Oncolytic TILT-123 and KEYTRUDA Combination Shows Promise for Ovarian Cancer

TILT Biotherapeutics presented promising Phase I trial results of TILT-123 combined with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2024. TILT-123, an oncolytic adenovirus armed with TNFα and IL-2, enhances T-cell therapies by modifying the tumor microenvironment and boosting the immune response, demonstrating its potential in cancer treatment.
The trial results show that the novel combination indicates safety, efficacy, and a 71% disease control rate, suggesting potential for tumor reductions and a systemic immune response. Findings demonstrated significant tumor size reductions and immune modulation in both injected and non-injected tumors, highlighting TILT-123's potential to induce a systemic response in treating ovarian cancer.

An intriguing aspect of the study was the observed correlation between a strong humoral response, characterized by an increased presence of IgE+ plasma cells, and the clinical outcomes of patients, suggesting a new avenue for predicting treatment efficacy and overall survival.

According to Akseli Hemminki, the founder and CEO of TILT Biotherapeutics, the results herald a new era in the treatment of refractory ovarian cancer. "We are excited to see the latest ongoing positive potential to bring a more effective treatment to patients with refractory ovarian cancer that have few other treatment options. Importantly, an immune response and reduction in tumour size was seen from intratumoral injections of the combination therapy as well as those away from the tumour site, which demonstrates the potential for a systemic response.”

TILT Biotherapeutics' approach harnesses the power of oncolytic viruses, specifically designed to kill cancer cells while bolstering the body's immune response against tumors. TILT-123, an oncolytic adenovirus armed with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), aims to rejuvenate the tumor microenvironment, enhancing the effectiveness of T-cell therapies.

The promising data from the AACR 2024 presentation, coupled with results from other ongoing trials, places TILT-123 in the spotlight as a novel therapeutic candidate across various solid cancer types.

With a focus on modifying the tumor microenvironment to 'heat up' cold tumors and thwart cancer's evasion tactics, TILT's patented technology promises a leap forward in the effectiveness of T-cell therapies. Continued clinical evaluation, including ongoing trials (NCT04695327, NCT04217473, NCT06125197, and NCT05222932), will further elucidate the therapeutic potential of TILT-123 across various solid cancer types.