Nanobiotix Reveals Complete Phase 1 Study Results for JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3) in Pancreatic Cancer

A recent study presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology unveiled promising results for a novel approach in treating pancreatic cancer. Conducted by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, this Phase 1 study focused on JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3), a treatment activated by radiotherapy, for patients with locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. The results, shared by Dr. Eugene Koay, highlighted the potential for improved outcomes in this challenging area of oncology.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notorious for its lethal nature and resistance to conventional therapies. Particularly for patients with locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, traditional treatment options offer limited prospects for long-term survival. The current approach usually involves induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation, but this rarely results in curative outcomes, highlighting a critical need for innovative therapies.

The study evaluated the effects of radiotherapy-activated JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3), delivering an encouraging safety profile and demonstrating feasibility in injections. Among the 22 patients enrolled, a significant portion showed favorable oncologic outcomes. The median overall survival was reported at 23 months from diagnosis, a notable increase compared to historical data showing a median survival of 19.2 months at the same institution under standard care practices. Furthermore, the median local progression-free survival reached 13.3 months following radiation completion.

A key aspect of the study was its exploration of biomarkers. An increase in circulating tumor mutational burden (cTMB) was associated with improved local progression-free survival and overall survival. Additionally, 59% of the patients achieved normalization of CA19-9, a biomarker linked to better survival outcomes, significantly higher than the approximate 17% seen in historical cohorts treated with standard care.

The promising results have led to the expansion of this study to include a new cohort. This group will receive standard-of-care concurrent chemotherapy alongside radiotherapy-activated JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3), with recruitment currently in progress. This expansion aims to further evaluate the potential benefits of combining this novel therapy with existing treatment regimens.

Nanobiotix, the biotechnology company behind JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3), expressed optimism regarding these findings. Dr. Louis Kayitalire, Chief Medical Officer at Nanobiotix, acknowledged the dire need for effective treatments in pancreatic cancer and highlighted the potential for JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3) to enhance standard treatment protocols. The study's next phase, which includes a randomized trial, will further assess the efficacy and safety of this innovative approach, providing hope for improved treatment outcomes in pancreatic cancer.