MiNK’s iNKT Cell Therapy Shows Promise for Resistant Solid Cancers at SITC 2024

MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in allogeneic, off-the-shelf invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies, has unveiled promising data from two poster presentations at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 39th Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas. The highlighted data pertain to MiNK's iNKT cell therapy programs, specifically agenT-797 and PRAME-TCR.

During the SITC meeting, MiNK Therapeutics emphasized the potential of their iNKT cell therapies in advancing cancer treatment. According to Dr. Marc Van Dijk, Chief Scientific Officer at MiNK, the results underscore the significant immune-modulating effects of agenT-797, particularly in enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and bispecific engagers. Additionally, the PRAME-TCR iNKT approach offers a novel strategy for treating solid tumors that express PRAME, a cancer-testis antigen. This innovation leverages iNKT cells' ability to target tumors without necessitating lymphodepletion or HLA-matching, potentially providing durable treatment options for patients with limited alternatives.

AgenT-797 has demonstrated notable results both as a monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1 therapies such as nivolumab or pembrolizumab. This combination has shown durable disease control in a significant number of heavily pretreated patients. Moreover, when combined with bispecific engagers targeting antigens like MUC16, HER2, Claudin 18.2, and DLL3, agenT-797 has promoted enhanced T-cell activation, effective tumor cell killing, and reduced cellular exhaustion and myeloid cell activity.

Currently, agenT-797 is progressing through an active Phase 2 clinical trial which includes an innovative five-treatment combination regimen featuring botensilimab, balstilimab, and standard-of-care chemotherapy. This trial aims at treating second-line and beyond advanced gastroesophageal cancer patients and is being conducted at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, with results anticipated in 2025.

On the other hand, the PRAME-TCR iNKT presents a promising therapeutic approach for refractory solid tumors. The iNKT cells are particularly suitable for expressing tumor-targeting T cell receptors (TCRs) due to the absence of conventional αβ TCRs and endogenous class I MHC molecules. MiNK's allogeneic PRAME-targeted TCR leverages an engineered αβ PRAME-TCR, devoid of gene-editing and heterodimerization risks, enabling a potentially safer and more precise approach. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that PRAME-TCR iNKTs can specifically target and kill tumor cells, highlighting the versatility and potential of iNKT cells in treating solid tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, melanoma, and sarcoma.

The presentations at SITC included two key posters titled "AgenT-797 iNKT cell therapy can be combined with next-generation immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and bi-specific engagers to improve the anti-tumor response" and "PRAME-TCR iNKT cell therapy: Opportunity for best-in-class off-the-shelf solid tumor therapy targeting PRAME." These posters were presented on November 8th and 9th, respectively, underscoring the significant potential of MiNK’s therapies in the ongoing battle against cancer.

MiNK Therapeutics continues to pioneer advancements in the biopharmaceutical field, focusing on the discovery, development, and commercialization of iNKT cell therapies to treat cancer and other immune-mediated diseases. Their pipeline includes both native and next-generation engineered iNKT programs, designed for scalable and reproducible off-the-shelf delivery. Headquartered in New York, NY, MiNK remains committed to providing innovative and accessible treatment options for patients facing severe and challenging diseases. Through their ongoing research and clinical trials, MiNK aims to unlock new therapeutic possibilities and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.