Caribou Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRBU), a clinical-stage CRISPR genome-editing biopharmaceutical company, has shared updated clinical data from its ongoing ANTLER Phase 1 trial of CB-010, an off-the-shelf anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy with a PD-1 knockout. The data suggests that CB-010 could rival the safety, efficacy, and durability of approved autologous CAR-T cell therapies.
Key Findings:
- Median PFS: Patients with partial HLA matching (≥4 alleles) showed a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 14.4 months, compared to 2.8 months for those with ≤3 HLA matches.
- Safety Profile: CB-010 was generally well tolerated, with no Grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) observed.
- Translational Data: Higher numbers of matched HLA alleles correlated with increased CAR-T cell expansion and persistence. A single dose of CB-010 resulted in extended B cell aplasia (~114 days) and rapid recovery of endogenous T and NK cells (~3 weeks).
Future Plans:
Caribou plans to enroll approximately 20 additional second-line large B cell lymphoma (2L LBCL) patients in the ANTLER trial to confirm the benefits of partial HLA matching. Initial data from this cohort is expected in the first half of 2025, with a pivotal Phase 3 trial planned for the second half of 2025.
Expert Commentary:
Dr. Boyu Hu, an investigator on the ANTLER trial, expressed optimism about the potential of allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy, particularly with the partial HLA matching strategy. Rachel Haurwitz, PhD, Caribou’s president and CEO, highlighted the improved efficacy and durability outcomes for patients receiving partially HLA matched CB-010.
Conclusion:
The ANTLER Phase 1 trial results underscore the potential of CB-010 as a transformative treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (r/r B-NHL), with ongoing studies aimed at further validating its efficacy and safety profile.
