Regeneron records 80% complete response rate in lymphoma trial

Regeneron’s CD20xCD3 bispecific antibody has achieved an 80% complete response rate in a small trial of patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. The strong early signs of efficacy led Regeneron to target a 2019 start date for a potentially registrational phase 2 study. REGN1979 is designed to bind to T cell surface antigen CD3 and tumor-associated antigen CD20. By cross-linking the immune and cancer cells, Regeneron thinks REGN1979 may trigger specific, local T cell activation and thereby drive potent cytotoxic attacks against tumor B cells.
Regeneron had reported early signs of antitumor activity two years ago at a meeting of the American Society of Hematology. And it arrived at this year’s event armed with its strongest evidence yet. All 10 follicular lymphoma patients who received 5mg or more of REGN1979 responded to the drug. Eight of the patients experienced complete responses. The responses of nine of the patients were maintained during treatment. To round out the upbeat update, Regeneron reported that the broader phase 1 trial saw no clinically significant neurotoxicities.