Corbus Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of CRB-601, a monoclonal antibody targeting latent TGFβ activation for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. The first patient has been dosed in the study (NCT06603844), marking a significant step in evaluating CRB-601's potential as an immunotherapy agent.
Mechanism of Action
CRB-601 functions by blocking the integrin αVβ8, which is responsible for activating latent TGFβ in the tumor microenvironment. TGFβ is a known immunosuppressive factor, and by inhibiting its activation, CRB-601 aims to overcome tumor immune exclusion and enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Preclinical Evidence
Preclinical data has demonstrated that CRB-601 successfully overcomes tumor immune exclusion and enhances the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in vivo. These findings suggest that CRB-601 has the potential to improve patient responses to existing immunotherapy treatments.
Clinical Trial Design and Objectives
The Phase 1 trial is designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of CRB-601 in patients with advanced solid tumors. The study will also evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the antibody. According to Corbus, this dose escalation study could yield valuable insights along with the potential to see the immune system being mobilized and the prospect of tumors responding.
Expert Commentary
"Dosing CRB-601 in a clinical trial marks an important milestone, bringing us closer to understanding its potential in the clinic and paving the way for advancements in an exciting corner of immunotherapy," said Dr. Jeffrey M. Clarke, MD., Associate Professor of Medicine, Associate Director of Thoracic Oncology Clinical Research Program, Duke Cancer Institute, Raleigh, NC. and a principal investigator in the CRB-601 study.
About Corbus Pharmaceuticals
Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. is an oncology and obesity company with a diversified portfolio committed to developing innovative scientific approaches to well-understood biological pathways. Their pipeline includes CRB-701, a next-generation antibody-drug conjugate targeting Nectin-4, and CRB-913, a peripherally restricted CB1 inverse agonist for obesity treatment.
