A recent study published in •Med• revealed that Plinabulin, in combination with radiation and PD-1 inhibitors, shows promise in treating patients with various cancers who have failed prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The combination demonstrated a 23% overall response rate and a 54% disease control rate in non-irradiated lesions across eight tumor types. Furthermore, researchers identified a potential biomarker, the baseline GEF-H1 immune signature, which could help predict patient response to Plinabulin.
This development holds significant potential for advancing cancer treatment, particularly for patients who have developed resistance to standard ICI therapies. The observed responses in non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma are especially encouraging, as these cancers often present treatment challenges. The identification of a potential predictive biomarker is also crucial, as it could allow clinicians to personalize treatment strategies and select patients most likely to benefit from this combination therapy, maximizing its efficacy and potentially minimizing unnecessary exposure to treatments that may not be effective.
The Phase 1 trial involved nineteen patients with eight different cancer types who were refractory or relapsed on prior ICI therapy. Patients received Plinabulin, radiation, and either pembrolizumab or nivolumab. The study confirmed Plinabulin’s mechanism of action, involving the activation of GEF-H1 signaling and subsequent dendritic cell maturation. This process enhances the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, potentially overcoming ICI resistance.
This research represents a meaningful step towards developing more effective treatment options for patients with advanced or resistant cancers. The promising clinical results, coupled with the identification of a potential biomarker, warrant further investigation in larger clinical trials to validate these findings. This combination therapy could potentially become a valuable new tool in the fight against cancer, especially for patients who have exhausted other treatment avenues.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
