A recent study examining a new therapy in an emerging cancer treatment known as T-cell therapy has shown positive results, according to an executive with the clinical-stage immunotherapy company that developed the treatment. Developed by TCR² Therapeutics Inc., TC-210 TRuC-T cell products were given to five mesothelioma cancer patients who took part in the study. The results showed a median reduction range from the sum of the diameters of the tumors of 42%.

“We are delighted that our very first dose of TC-210 induced consistent tumor regression and clinical benefit in heavily pre-treated cancer patients,” said Garry Menzel, Ph.D., of TCR² Therapeutics. “There are very few options for patients with solid tumors and those expressing mesothelin represent a significant frontier of unmet medical need. While these are early data requiring further study, we are encouraged by the potential of our TRuC-T cells as we continue to enroll and treat patients with the goal of quickly finding a recommended Phase 2 dose for TC-210.”

According to the research company, the primary focus of the Phase 1 portion of the study on TC-210 was to “define the safety profile of TC-210 in patients whose tumors overexpress mesothelin and to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D).” One of the key clinical findings from the study on the five patients found that TC-210 was generally well tolerated by the group.

In Phase 2 of the trials for TC-210, the researchers will expand the test group to 50 patients, using the data and safety efficacy gained from Phase 1. Those participating in Phase 2 will have a diagnosis of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, malignant pleural/peritoneal mesothelioma, or cholangiocarcinoma. While the findings in the study are preliminary and more study will need to be done, executives with the company expressed optimism for the treatment.

“Based on my prior experience working with both TCR-T and CAR-T cells, including the FDA approval of Kymriah, observing consistent clinical benefit in patients at presumably suboptimal T cell doses is quite meaningful,” said Alfonso Quintás-Cardama, M.D., of TCR² Therapeutics. “These early TC-210 data suggest our approach may overcome the challenges faced by many T cell therapies in the hostile solid tumor microenvironment. Our enrolled patients have failed multiple lines of therapy, including standard chemotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors and in some cases other mesothelin-directed approaches, in indications where survival has been historically shorter than six months.”

Because mesothelioma is often diagnosed in its late stages, patients are left with diminished treatment options to fight the disease. T cell therapy is one of many emerging and promising treatments for patients battling the cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

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