Regeneron's Libtayo Shows Significant DFS Improvement in High-Risk CSCC Adjuvant Trial
Key Insights
Regeneron's Libtayo demonstrated a 68% reduction in disease recurrence or death risk in high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) patients after surgery.
The Phase 3 C-POST trial evaluated Libtayo as an adjuvant treatment, showing statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival (DFS).
The trial's results will be submitted to the FDA in the first half of 2025, potentially offering a new treatment option for high-risk CSCC patients.
RegeneronView company profile Pharmaceuticals announced positive results from its Phase 3 C-POST trial, revealing that LibtayoSearch drug (cemiplimab) significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) as an adjuvant treatment in patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinomaSearch disease (CSCC) following surgery. The trial's success marks a potential advancement in treating this patient population, where recurrence rates can be high and treatment options are limited.
The C-POST trial enrolled 415 patients with high-risk CSCC, randomizing them to receive either LibtayoSearch drug or a placebo for up to 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was DFS, measured from randomization to the first documented disease recurrence or death from any cause. At the first pre-specified interim analysis, with a median follow-up of 24 months, Libtayo demonstrated a 68% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death compared to placebo (Hazard Ratio: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.20-0.51; p<0.0001).
Clinical Significance
"While surgery is curative for most people living with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomaSearch disease, many are burdened with a higher risk of recurrence that can lead to death or disfiguration," said Danny Rischin, M.D., M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.P., lead investigator of the trial. "At the first prespecified interim analysis, LibtayoSearch drug achieved a remarkably high bar in improving disease-free survival in high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. With no currently approved options in the adjuvant setting, these landmark results demonstrate Libtayo could represent a major advance in delaying recurrence in these vulnerable patients."
Safety and Tolerability
Safety was assessed in 205 patients in the LibtayoSearch drug arm and 204 patients in the placebo arm. Adverse events of any grade occurred in 91% and 89% of patients in the Libtayo arm and the placebo arm, respectively. Grade ≥3 AEs occurred in 24% and 14% of patients in the Libtayo arm and the placebo arm, respectively. Treatment discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 10% and 1.5% of patients in the Libtayo arm and the placebo arm, respectively. Two patients experienced an AE leading to death in each arm.
Trial Design and Future Steps
The C-POST trial is ongoing and will continue for additional follow-up, including an analysis of the key secondary endpoint of overall survival. RegeneronView company profile plans to present detailed results at an upcoming medical meeting and submit them to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first half of 2025.
The trial included patients at high risk of recurrence due to nodal features (extracapsular extension or ≥3 involved lymph nodes) and/or non-nodal features (in-transit metastases, T4 lesion, perineural invasion, or locally recurrent tumor with ≥1 additional poor prognostic features).
During the trial, LibtayoSearch drug 350 mg or placebo was administered intravenously every three weeks for the first 12 weeks, followed by Libtayo 700 mg or placebo administered intravenously every six weeks for 36 weeks. Secondary endpoints include freedom from locoregional recurrence, freedom from distant recurrence, overall survival, cumulative incidence of second primary CSCC tumors, and safety.
Libtayo's Mechanism and Existing Approvals
LibtayoSearch drug is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1Search term on T cells. It has already been approved for certain patients with advanced CSCC, basal cell carcinomaSearch disease, non-small cell lung cancerSearch disease, and cervical cancer.
Regeneron's Commitment
"RegeneronView company profile has long been a pioneer in non-melanoma skin cancer research," said Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., clinical development unit head, oncology, at Regeneron. "LibtayoSearch drug was the first PD-1Search term inhibitor approved for certain patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinomaSearch disease and has become a standard of care in this setting. With these results, Libtayo now has the potential to also transform the treatment of high-risk resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with adjuvant treatment."