OSE Immunotherapeutics Publishes Preclinical Results on Lusvertikimab for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 'Blood'

Nantes, France – July 1st, 2024 – OSE Immunotherapeutics SA announced the publication of significant preclinical efficacy data on Lusvertikimab (OSE-127), an anti-IL-7 receptor antagonist, in the treatment of B- and T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B- and T-ALL). This data, published in the peer-reviewed medical journal ‘Blood’ by the American Society of Hematology, underscores the potential of Lusvertikimab as a promising therapeutic option.

The research behind Lusvertikimab was a collaborative effort between OSE Immunotherapeutics and the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel, Germany. Utilizing patient-derived samples and in-vivo xenograft models, the team evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of this anti-IL-7R antagonist in targeting and blocking the dysregulated IL-7R expression prevalent in approximately 85% of B- and T-ALL patients.

Professor Denis Schewe, now Head of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University Hospital Dresden and National Center for Tumor Diseases, and Dr. Lennart Lenk from the Department of Pediatrics I at Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, led the research. They highlighted the limited treatment options currently available for T-ALL and emphasized the urgent need for innovative immunotherapy approaches. They noted that Lusvertikimab, with its dual mechanism of blocking IL-7R signaling and inducing antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, shows promise as an effective therapy for CD127 positive ALL patients, especially when used alongside standard polychemotherapy. This combination could significantly enhance the treatment outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory disease.

Nicolas Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics, expressed satisfaction with the publication of the Lusvertikimab data in 'Blood', noting the journal's high standing in the field of hematology. He reiterated the importance of developing new targeted immunotherapy solutions for B-ALL and T-ALL patients and acknowledged the fruitful collaboration with the University of Kiel’s hematology experts in addressing these clinical challenges.

The study abstract, titled "The IL-7R antagonist Lusvertikimab reduces leukemic burden in xenograft-ALL via antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis," reported significant in vivo efficacy of Lusvertikimab in preclinical models using samples from B-ALL and T-ALL patients. The antagonist operates through a dual mode: firstly, by blocking IL-7 receptor signaling, it inhibits the proliferative and pro-survival signals driven by Interleukin-7; secondly, it promotes the elimination of leukemic cells through macrophage-induced phagocytosis, correlating strongly with the level of IL-7R surface expression on the leukemic cells.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a diverse group of lymphoid disorders resulting from the clonal proliferation of immature B-cell or T-cell lineages in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid organs. It is the most prevalent cancer in children, constituting about 25% of all childhood cancer diagnoses for those under 15 years old. However, adults can also develop ALL, with roughly 40% of diagnosed cases occurring in adults, half of whom present with refractory disease or relapse under current therapies.

The American Cancer Society estimated that around 6,660 new cases of ALL would be diagnosed in the United States in 2022. In Europe, approximately 7,000 cases are diagnosed annually, with Japan reporting about 5,000 cases. By 2029, the number of diagnosed cases in Europe, the US, Japan, and China is projected to reach 26,482.

OSE Immunotherapeutics is dedicated to advancing first-in-class immunotherapies. The company’s development pipeline includes Tedopi® for lung cancer, OSE-279 for solid tumors, and Lusvertikimab for ulcerative colitis and leukemia. Other assets in development include FR-104/VEL-101 for transplantation, anti-SIRPα for solid tumors and cardiovascular diseases, and ABBV-230 for chronic inflammation. The company also focuses on drug discovery platforms targeting inflammation resolution, myeloid checkpoints, bifunctional fusion proteins for enhanced anti-tumor efficacy, and mRNA-based local delivery therapies.