Core Viewpoint - TuHURA Biosciences has initiated a Phase 1b/2a trial for IFx-Hu2.0 in combination with Keytruda® to evaluate safety and feasibility in patients with deep-seated tumors, expanding the potential patient population for this treatment [1][2][4]. Group 1: Trial Details - The Phase 1b/2a trial is designed to assess the safety and feasibility of IFx-Hu2.0 as an adjunctive therapy to Keytruda® in adult patients with non-cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) [4]. - The trial will enroll a total of nine patients with hepatic, pulmonary, or retroperitoneal lesions, administering IFx-Hu2.0 (0.1 mg) weekly for three weeks, followed by pembrolizumab [4]. - The primary endpoint is the safety and feasibility of IFx-Hu2.0 evaluated 28 days after the last dose, with secondary endpoints including efficacy assessed at three and six months [4]. Group 2: Future Plans - If the trial demonstrates safety and feasibility, TuHURA plans to extend enrollment to other non-MCC cancers that poorly respond to checkpoint inhibitors [3]. - The company is preparing to initiate a Phase 3 accelerated approval trial of IFx-Hu2.0 as an adjunctive therapy to Keytruda® for first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic MCC [5][9]. - The FDA has agreed to the trial's design under the accelerated approval pathway, with overall response rate (ORR) as the primary endpoint [6][7]. Group 3: Company Overview - TuHURA Biosciences is focused on developing novel technologies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy, addressing a significant challenge in cancer treatment [8]. - The lead product candidate, IFx-Hu2.0, is designed to overcome primary resistance to checkpoint inhibitors, with prior trials showing promise in various skin cancers [9][10].
TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. Initiates Phase 1b/2a Study of IFx-Hu2.0 as an Adjunctive Therapy to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) in First Line Treatment for Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin (MCCUP)