Sapience Therapeutics Presents Clinical Data on Lead Programs at SITC 39th Annual Meeting

Sapience Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm specializing in peptide therapeutics that address cancer-causing and immune-related issues, recently presented significant findings from its leading programs, ST101 and ST316, at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's 39th Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.

ST101 is designed to inhibit C/EBPβ, a transcription factor implicated in glioblastoma (GBM). It is being tested in a Phase 2 clinical study involving patients with both newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM. ST316, another innovative product, targets the interaction between β-catenin and BCL9, which plays a role in cancer progression and immune exclusion within the tumor microenvironment. This peptide is under evaluation in colorectal cancer patients as part of a Phase 2 study.

Dr. Jim Rotolo, Senior Vice President of Research and Translational Sciences at Sapience, expressed enthusiasm over the new clinical and biomarker data on ST101. He highlighted that including their findings in the SITC press briefing underscores the importance of their research. ST101 has shown promising results in controlling disease and altering the tumor immune microenvironment from an immunosuppressive state to an immune-active one, which is significant for treating GBM.

The results from the Phase 2 study of ST101 revealed an impressive disease control rate in patients post-surgery, with some achieving complete responses and others maintaining stable disease states. The study also noted the therapeutic's ability to traverse the blood-brain barrier, disrupt its target, and activate an immune response within the tumor microenvironment.

On the other hand, initial clinical data from the Phase 1 study of ST316 were also presented, highlighting its impact on depleting immunosuppressive cells in patients' peripheral blood. Non-clinical studies demonstrated that combining ST316 with PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors enhanced tumor outcomes and immune activation, validating its potential to improve current immune-oncology treatments.

ST101 demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing tumor growth and increasing immune activity within the tumor. The Window-of-Opportunity study in newly diagnosed GBM patients showed a high disease control rate post-surgery, with several patients showing stable disease and one achieving a complete response. Additionally, recurrent GBM patients also responded positively, with a portion of them achieving partial responses and stable disease.

ST316's mechanism involves disrupting β-catenin-driven immune exclusion, fostering an immune-active environment by depleting immunosuppressive cells like MDSCs and TAMs, which enhances cytotoxic T cell activity. Clinical data indicated that ST316 effectively reduces immunosuppressive cells and increases proinflammatory macrophages, leading to enhanced T cell activation. In animal tumor models, ST316 inhibited tumor growth and shifted macrophage populations towards a pro-inflammatory state, amplifying the effects of anti-PD-1 treatments.

Sapience Therapeutics is advancing its leading programs through Phase 2 clinical trials. ST101, an antagonist of C/EBPβ, is in a Phase 2 study for recurrent GBM, with a sub-study evaluating its use combined with radiation and temozolomide for newly diagnosed GBM patients. ST316, an antagonist of the β-catenin-BCL9 interaction, completed Phase 1 and is now in Phase 2 trials for colorectal cancer. The company’s pipeline includes innovative peptide therapeutics aimed at disrupting protein interactions that drive cancer, offering new avenues for treatment.

Sapience Therapeutics continues to make strides in cancer treatment, with its peptide therapeutics showing significant potential in altering tumor environments and improving patient outcomes in various cancer types.