A recent clinical trial evaluating the combination of Lymphir (denileukin diftitox) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) has shown promising results in patients with advanced lymphoma who have failed multiple prior lines of therapy. The data, presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) meeting, highlights the potential of this combination to provide meaningful clinical benefit in a challenging patient population.
The study reported a clinical benefit rate of 33% and an overall response rate of 27%. Notably, the patient cohort had a median of four prior lines of therapy, indicating a heavily pre-treated and refractory disease state. Progression-free survival (PFS) was also encouraging, with patients who responded to the treatment experiencing a median PFS of 57 weeks. This suggests a durable response and a significant improvement in disease control compared to available options for this patient group.
The safety profile of the Lymphir-Keytruda combination was deemed acceptable, with most adverse events being related to the underlying lymphoma rather than the treatment itself. This is an important consideration, as heavily pre-treated patients are often more susceptible to treatment-related toxicities.
"The data provides proof of concept for Lymphir beyond its current application, suggesting a broader potential in oncology," according to Michael Okunewitch, an analyst from Maxim Group. This positive outlook is further supported by H.C. Wainwright, who also reiterated a Buy rating on Citius Pharmaceuticals' stock with a $4.00 price target.
Lymphir, also known as denileukin diftitox, is an interleukin-2 (IL-2) fusion toxin. It works by targeting cells that express the IL-2 receptor, which is often overexpressed in certain types of lymphoma. Keytruda, an anti-PD-1 antibody, enhances the body's immune response to cancer cells. The combination of these two agents may provide a synergistic effect, leading to improved outcomes.
Citius Pharmaceuticals is currently developing Lymphir for various oncology indications. The promising results from this trial suggest that the Lymphir-Keytruda combination could represent a valuable new treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma.
