BioNTech is poised to advance its VEGF x PD-L1 bispecific antibody, BNT327, to Phase III trials for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) following promising Phase II survival data. The updated data, presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), highlights the potential of BNT327 (formerly PB8002) in combination with nab-paclitaxel as a first-line therapy for locally advanced or metastatic TNBC.
The Phase II trial, sponsored by Biotheus Inc., revealed that the combination therapy led to a 13.5-month progression-free survival (PFS) in patients. While BNT327 has not been directly compared to standard PD-1 blockers in a head-to-head trial, these initial overall survival results suggest a potential advantage in treating this aggressive form of breast cancer.
TNBC is characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression, making it challenging to treat. The current standard of care often involves chemotherapy, but the development of novel immunotherapies like BNT327 offers new hope for improved patient outcomes. The dual targeting of VEGF and PD-L1 aims to simultaneously inhibit angiogenesis and enhance anti-tumor immune responses, potentially overcoming resistance mechanisms observed with single-agent therapies.
The advancement of BNT327 into Phase III trials represents a significant step forward in the treatment landscape for TNBC. Further studies will be crucial to confirm these initial findings and to directly compare the efficacy and safety of BNT327 to existing treatment options.
