CG Oncology recently announced positive topline results from its Phase 3 BONDER-002 clinical trial evaluating cretostimogene obinovec for the treatment of high-risk, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The data suggest a potential new treatment option for patients facing this challenging condition.
BONDER-002 Trial Details
The BONDER-002 trial is a single-arm, open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of cretostimogene in patients with high-risk NMIBC who have previously failed BCG therapy. BCG is a standard first-line treatment for NMIBC, but many patients eventually become unresponsive, leaving limited options. Cretostimogene is an oncolytic immunotherapy designed to selectively replicate in tumor cells, leading to their destruction and triggering a systemic anti-tumor immune response.
The study's primary endpoint is complete response (CR) rate at any time. Secondary endpoints include duration of response, time to cystectomy, and safety. Patients receive intravesical instillations of cretostimogene.
Clinical Significance
NMIBC represents a significant clinical challenge, with a high rate of recurrence and progression to muscle-invasive disease. BCG failure is a major unmet need, as patients often face cystectomy (bladder removal) as the next treatment step. The positive results from the BONDER-002 trial suggest that cretostimogene could offer a bladder-sparing alternative for these patients.
The company plans to present detailed data from the BONDER-002 trial at an upcoming medical meeting and intends to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) to regulatory authorities based on these results. If approved, cretostimogene could represent a significant advancement in the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC.
