Immutep's Late-Breaking Head & Neck Cancer Abstract Chosen for ESMO Congress 2024 Oral Presentation

Immutep Limited, a prominent biotechnology company focused on the advancement of LAG-3 immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, announced a significant achievement in their research endeavors. The company has had a late-breaking abstract accepted for oral presentation at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, to be held from September 13-17 in Barcelona, Spain. This presentation will disseminate results from the randomized Cohort A of the TACTI-003 (KEYNOTE-C34) Phase IIb trial.

The TACTI-003 trial assesses the effectiveness of eftilagimod alpha (referred to as "efti"), a proprietary soluble LAG-3 protein and MHC Class II agonist, when used in conjunction with pembrolizumab (an anti-PD-1 therapy developed by Merck & Co., Inc., also known as KEYTRUDA®) versus pembrolizumab alone. The focus is on patients who have recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 expression (CPS ≥1). Eftilagimod alpha is designed to enhance the immune system’s response to combat cancer cells.

Dr. Claus Andrup Kristensen, MD, PhD, Head of Section for Thoracic and Head and Neck Oncology at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark, will present the primary results. The presentation, titled "Primary Results from TACTI-003: A Randomized Phase IIb Trial Comparing Eftilagimod Alpha (soluble LAG-3) Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Alone in First-Line Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with CPS ≥1," will take place on Sunday, September 15, 2024, from 10:25 to 10:35 am CET.

The TACTI-003 study, formally known as the Two ACTive Immunotherapies-003 trial, is split into two cohorts. Cohort A evaluates the combination of efti and pembrolizumab in patients whose tumors are PD-L1 positive (CPS ≥1). In contrast, Cohort B looks at the combination in patients with PD-L1 negative tumors (CPS <1). The primary endpoint for the study is the Objective Response Rate based on RECIST 1.1 criteria, while secondary endpoints include Overall Survival, Objective Response Rate per iRECIST, Progression-Free Survival, and Duration of Response.

Immutep is recognized for its pioneering role in the field of Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3) based immunotherapies. The company’s diverse product portfolio aims to either stimulate or suppress the immune response. This portfolio is instrumental in providing new treatment avenues for cancer and autoimmune diseases, reflecting Immutep’s commitment to innovation and patient care. The company's dedication extends to maximizing shareholder value through its groundbreaking research and development efforts.

The acceptance of this late-breaking abstract underscores the high quality and clinical relevance of the TACTI-003 trial results. Late-breaking abstracts are typically reserved for new, impactful research findings from randomized phase II or phase III trials that hold significant potential for altering clinical practices or enhancing the understanding of disease mechanisms. These oral presentations, also known as proffered papers, are followed by expert discussions to provide deeper insights and perspectives on the research findings.

Through its participation in the ESMO Congress and the ongoing TACTI-003 trial, Immutep continues to solidify its position at the forefront of immunotherapy research, striving to bring novel and effective treatment options to patients battling cancer. The upcoming presentation is expected to contribute valuable data to the oncology community, potentially influencing future therapeutic strategies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.