bb21217 early safety profile consistent with CAR T platform therapies
83 percent objective response rate in 12 heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients at first dose level studied
Higher dose of bb21217 being assessed in the ongoing Phase 1 study
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bb21217 is an investigational anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy that uses the bb2121 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) molecule with a manufacturing process designed to improve CAR T cell functional persistence. bb21217 has exhibited improved functional persistence and increased anti-tumor activity in preclinical animal studies.
“Anti-BCMA CAR T therapy with bb2121 has shown clinical responses in a
substantial proportion of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple
myeloma. With the bb21217 program we are pursuing an approach intended
to improve the in vivo persistence of functional CAR T cells with
the hope that this provides a more durable benefit for patients,” said
“The initial results of bb21217 are encouraging in terms of the adverse
event profile, as well as the instances of ongoing, deep responses shown
in these heavily pre-treated patients,” said
bb21217 is being evaluated in the ongoing dose escalation part of the Phase 1 CRB-402 study in adults with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior treatments, including a proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulatory agent (or are double refractory).
“Patients with multiple myeloma often undergo multiple cycles of
treatment because there is currently no known cure for this aggressive
cancer,” said
Patients included in these preliminary Phase 1 results (n=12) had a median age of 63 years (min; max: 44 – 69 years). They had received a median of seven prior lines of therapy (min; max: 4 – 17 lines) and 83 percent of patients received a prior autologous stem cell transplant. Fifty-eight percent (n=7) of patients had high-risk cytogenetics.
All treated patients received a dose of 150 x 106 CAR+ T
cells. The median follow-up after bb21217 infusion was 26 weeks (min;
max: 4 – 51 weeks). The primary endpoint is safety measured by frequency
of adverse events (AEs), dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and changes in
laboratory results. Secondary endpoints include disease specific
response criteria based on the
Safety Results
The safety results, reported as of the data extract of
Eight of the 12 patients (67 percent) treated with bb21217 developed cytokine release syndrome (CRS); four Grade 1, three Grade 2, one Grade 3 case and no Grade 4 cases. Additionally, three of the 12 patients (25 percent) experienced neurotoxicity, including one Grade 1, one Grade 2 and one Grade 4 case. All CRS and neurotoxicity events resolved and no deaths occurred on study. Following the Grade 4 neurotoxicity event, patients were divided into two groups based on tumor burden and dosing continued at 150 x 106 CAR+ T cells for a total of 12 subjects treated at this dose level.
Efficacy Results
Of the 12 patients who received treatment with bb21217, 83 percent (n=10) achieved an objective clinical response by IMWG criteria. As of the data extract, responses are ongoing in nine of 10 patients, including three with a complete response (CR) or stringent complete response (sCR), two with a very good partial response (VGPR) and four with a partial response (PR).
Evidence of myeloma in the bone marrow, known as minimal residual disease (MRD), was undetectable at a minimum of two time points, by next-generation sequencing at a sensitivity level of 10-5 or better in all responders who had evaluable bone marrow samples (n=4) with some as early as day 15.
CAR+ T cell expansion was observed during the first 30 days following treatment in all evaluable patients (n=11) with anti-BCMA CAR+T cells showing sustained persistence in all patients (3/3) with six or more months of follow-up.
The ongoing Phase 1 CRB-402 study is assessing a higher dose of 300 x106 CAR+ T cells in both high and low tumor burden cohorts.
About bb21217
bb2121 and bb21217 are bluebird bio’s lead investigational anti-BCMA CAR
T therapies being developed in collaboration with
Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are receptor proteins that have been engineered to give T cells the ability to target a specific protein. bb2121 and bb21217 are designed to recognize and kill plasma cells, notably malignant myeloma cells, that express the B cell maturation antigen (BCMA).
bluebird bio’s clinical development program for bb21217 includes the
ongoing Phase 1 CRB-402 two-part (dose escalation and dose expansion),
non-randomized, open label study with sites in
bb21217 is not approved for any indication in any geography.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of certain cells in the blood, called plasma cells. The cause of multiple myeloma is not known, and currently there is no cure. However, there are a number of treatment options available that can lead to remission. For some people with multiple myeloma, remission can last many years. Patients who have already been treated with some available therapies but continue to have progression of their disease have “relapsed” or “refractory” multiple myeloma, meaning their cancer has reoccurred after they have received initial treatments. Patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma have fewer treatment options.
About bluebird bio, Inc.
With its lentiviral-based gene therapies, T cell immunotherapy expertise and gene editing capabilities, bluebird bio has built a pipeline with broad potential application in severe genetic diseases and cancer.
bluebird bio's gene therapy clinical programs include investigational treatments for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
bluebird bio's oncology pipeline is built upon the company's lentiviral
gene delivery and T cell engineering, with a focus on developing novel T
cell-based immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR T)
and T cell receptor (TCR) therapies. The company’s lead oncology
programs are anti-BCMA CAR T programs partnered with
bluebird bio’s discovery research programs include utilizing megaTAL/homing endonuclease gene editing technologies with the potential for use across the company's pipeline.
bluebird bio has operations in
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UC Disclaimer
The information stated above was prepared by bluebird bio Inc. and
reflects solely the opinion of bluebird bio. Nothing in this statement
shall be construed to imply any support or endorsement of bluebird bio,
or any of its products, by the Regents of the
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements include those regarding the potential
benefits of, and plans relating to the collaboration between bluebird
bio and Celgene in the development of bb2121 and bb21217; the potential
of bb2121 and bb21217 as therapeutic drugs; and the benefit of each
company’s strategic plans and focus. The words “anticipate,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,”
“would,” “could,” “potential,” “possible,” “hope” and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying
words. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks
and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ
materially from current expectations and beliefs. For example, there can
be no guarantee that any product candidate will be successfully
developed or complete necessary preclinical and clinical phases, or that
development of any of product candidates will successfully continue, or
that marketing approval will be granted. There can be no guarantee that
any positive developments will result in stock price appreciation.
Management's expectations and, therefore, any forward-looking statements
in this press release could also be affected by risks and uncertainties
relating to a number of other important factors, including: results of
clinical trials and preclinical studies, including subsequent analysis
of existing data and new data received from ongoing and future studies;
the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. FDA and other
regulatory authorities, investigational review boards at clinical trial
sites and publication review bodies; the ability to obtain and maintain
requisite regulatory approvals and to enroll patients in planned
clinical trials; unplanned cash requirements and expenditures;
competitive factors; the ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent
and other intellectual property protection for any product candidates;
the ability to maintain key collaborations; and general economic and
market conditions. These and other risks are described in greater detail
under the caption "Risk Factors" included in each company’s public
filings with the
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181202005065/en/
Source: bluebird bio, Inc.
Forbluebird bio:
Investors:
Elizabeth Pingpank,
617-914-8736
epingpank@bluebirdbio.com
or
Media:
Catherine
Falcetti, 617-583-3411
cfalcetti@bluebirdbio.com
For Celgene:
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+1-908-673-9628
ir@celgene.com
or
Media:
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media@celgene.com