Updated Phase 1 Data on Elicio's ELI-002 for Solid Tumors in Nature Medicine

Elicio Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm, has reported promising results from its Phase 1 study of ELI-002, a novel immunotherapy for cancer treatment. The study, published in Nature Medicine, focused on patients with pancreatic and colorectal cancers who had undergone prior treatment but still showed signs of minimal residual disease. The ELI-002 vaccine targets mutant KRAS, a common mutation in various cancers, and is designed to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells.

The study involved 25 patients with solid tumors, of which 84% exhibited a reduction in tumor biomarkers, with a median relapse-free survival of 16.3 months. The vaccine induced specific T cell responses in 84% of patients, with 59% showing responses involving both CD4+ (helper cells) and CD8+ (killer cells). These responses were linked to a reduced risk of relapse and the formation of memory T cells, which could potentially provide long-term protection.

Elicio's Executive Vice President, Dr. Christopher Haqq, highlighted the significance of the T cell response, stating that past studies have not observed such a high proportion of patients responding with such magnitude. The company is now planning to advance ELI-002 into a randomized Phase 2 trial as a monotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), expected to begin in early 2024.

ELI-002 is an innovative AMP therapeutic immunotherapy that targets cancers driven by mutant KRAS. The formulation is designed to target lymph nodes, enhancing the action of key immune cells. The Phase 1 trial, known as AMPLIFY-201, is ongoing for patients with high relapse risk mKRAS-driven solid tumors.

Elicio Therapeutics is dedicated to developing a range of immunotherapies that precisely target lymph nodes to orchestrate an immune response against aggressive cancers. The company's approach combines expertise in immunology and immunotherapy to engineer investigational treatments.

The study's findings are based on data as of September 6, 2023, and no safety concerns were identified during the trial. The results showed a correlation between T cell response and efficacy, with patients having a greater than median T cell response experiencing an 86% reduction in the risk of progression or death.

Elicio Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company with a pipeline of novel immunotherapies aimed at treating cancer. The company's focus is on developing therapies that engage the lymph nodes to stimulate a robust immune response against cancer cells. The Phase 2 trial for ELI-002 as a monotherapy for PDAC is a significant step in the company's mission to provide new treatment options for patients with limited therapeutic choices.