Adaptin Bio has announced that the FDA has cleared the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for APTN-101, a novel therapy designed to treat glioblastoma. This clearance paves the way for a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of APTN-101 in patients with grade 4 malignant glioma. Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis, making this development a potentially significant advancement.
APTN-101: A Novel Approach to Glioblastoma Treatment
APTN-101 is based on Adaptin Bio’s proprietary Brain Bispecific T cell Engager (BRiTE) platform. This technology aims to enhance the delivery of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier, a significant challenge in treating brain tumors. The BRiTE platform couples engineered T cells with bispecific antibodies to improve the transport of these antibodies to the brain and other tissues.
In the case of APTN-101, the bispecific antibody is designed to simultaneously target EGFRvIII, a mutant protein commonly found on glioblastoma cells, and the CD3 receptor on T cells. This dual targeting mechanism activates the T cells and directs them to the tumor, where they can directly target and kill the glioblastoma cells.
Preclinical Evidence and Clinical Trial Design
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that APTN-101 can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and eliminate malignant glioma tumors across several preclinical models. These findings suggest that APTN-101 has the potential to overcome the limitations of current glioblastoma treatments.
The Phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of APTN-101 in patients with grade 4 malignant glioma. Specific details regarding the trial's design, dosing regimens, and endpoints have yet to be announced. However, the trial will likely focus on assessing the drug's ability to target tumor cells, activate T cells, and improve patient outcomes.
Expert Commentary
Dr. Mustafa Khasraw, professor of neurosurgery, medicine, integrative immunobiology, cancer biology, and pharmacology at Duke University, where the BRiTE platform was developed, commented on the FDA clearance: "The FDA clearance is a significant achievement for our collaboration with Adaptin. Based on results from preclinical models in orthotopic malignant glioma, we are excited to begin this clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of APTN-101. APTN-101’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and target glioma cells directly offers a promising new approach."
Michael Roberts, CEO of Adaptin Bio, added, "We’re thrilled to initiate clinical trials with APTN-101 following FDA clearance of our first-in-human trial. Our proprietary BRiTE technology harnesses the immune system’s remarkable ability to target and deliver therapeutics to specific tissues, including the brain, potentially revolutionizing treatment for difficult-to-treat cancers. APTN-101 validates the BRiTE platform and its ability to enhance transfer of therapeutics into the brain. We are committed to advancing this novel therapy as a new potential therapy for glioblastoma patients who desperately need new therapies."
Glioblastoma: An Unmet Medical Need
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, with approximately 15,000 people diagnosed in the US each year. The prognosis for glioblastoma patients remains poor, with fewer than 5% surviving five years after diagnosis. Current treatment options, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, are often limited by the aggressive and infiltrating nature of the cancer, leading to frequent recurrence.
APTN-101 represents a promising new approach to treating glioblastoma by directly targeting tumor cells and enhancing the immune system's ability to fight the cancer. The upcoming Phase 1 clinical trial will provide crucial data on the safety and efficacy of this novel therapy.
