Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Vaccine Study Launched

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Bavarian Nordic are starting a phase 1 clinical trial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have failed on previous treatments.

This trial combines its proprietary cancer immunotherapy candidate, CV301, with the anti-PD-1 drug, OPDIVO® (nivolumab) from BMS.

The rationale for this combination approach is for the vaccine to generate a tumor specific T cell response, and allow the checkpoint inhibitor to maintain that immune effect by preventing the tumor from turning that response off.

“This study is the first seeking proof-of-concept for a promising combination approach, and we look forward to the results, as well as to advance CV301 as combination therapy in additional indications over the next years,” Paul Chaplin, president and CEO of Bavarian Nordic.

Lung cancer starts when cells of the lung become abnormal and begin to grow out of control. As more cancer cells develop, they can form into a tumor and spread to other areas of the body. There are 2 main types of lung cancer, which are treated very differently:

About 80% to 85% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

About 10% to 15% are small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

Opdivo is FDA-approved as a second-line monotherapy in NSCLC, but the companies are hoping the combo can pump up the solo med's cancer-fighting prowess.

Bavarian Nordic is focusing on developing its vaccine in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, not only in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, but also those with bladder cancer and colorectal cancer.

While overall survival rate is the primary endpoint for this particular study, investigators will also look at secondary endpoints including response rate.

This press release and its information was published by BMS and Bavarian Nordic.