DEP irinotecan IO/PARP combination data presented at AACR
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DEP® irinotecan IO/PARP combination data presented at AACR
Melbourne, Australia; 16 October 2023: Starpharma (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY) today
provides a copy of the DEP® irinotecan combination data poster, showcasing the recently
announced 1 data for DEP® irinotecan in combination with leading anticancer therapies,
including immuno-oncology (IO) agents, in human colorectal cancer (CRC) models. The data
show that DEP® irinotecan in combination with an IO agent or a PARP 2 inhibitor demonstrated
superior anti-tumour activity and significant survival benefit when compared to these agents
delivered alone in multiple CRC models.
The poster was presented over the weekend in Boston, US, at the international oncology
conference, International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, cohosted by the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), the National Cancer
Institute (NCI) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer
(EORTC) from 11 to 15 October 2023.
This promising combination data, together with the recently released positive clinical results
for DEP® irinotecan, provide a strong rationale for clinical evaluation of DEP® irinotecan with
these leading classes of cancer drugs. These combinations are commercially important
because they increase the potential market opportunities for DEP® irinotecan and illustrate
valuable synergies with successful product categories.
The poster is appended.
About Starpharma
Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY) is a world leader in dendrimer technology for medical applications.
As an innovative Australian biopharmaceutical company, Starpharma is focused on developing and commercialising novel
therapeutic products that address significant global healthcare needs. Starpharma boasts a strong portfolio of products,
partnerships, and intellectual property.
Starpharma’s innovative technology is based on proprietary polymers called dendrimers, which are precise, synthetically
manufactured, nanoscale molecules. The unique properties of dendrimers – including their size, structure, high degree of
branching, polyvalency, and water solubility – are advantageous in medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Starpharma uses its dendrimer technology to develop novel therapeutics and to improve the performance of existing
pharmaceuticals. Starpharma’s portfolio includes multiple clinical-stage oncology products, which utilise its Dendrimer Enhanced
Product (‘DEP®’) drug delivery technology, and marketed products, including VIRALEZE™ and VivaGel® BV, which utilise
SPL7013, a proprietary dendrimer with antimicrobial properties.
Starpharma’s DEP® drug delivery platform is being used to enhance the effectiveness of existing and novel therapies and to
reduce drug-related toxicities through controlled and specified drug delivery.
In addition to Starpharma’s internal DEP® programs, Starpharma has multiple DEP® partnerships with international
biopharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca (oncology), MSD (Antibody-Drug Conjugates), Chase Sun (anti-infectives),
and other world-leading pharmaceutical companies. Due to the broad applicability and optionality of Starpharma’s DEP® platform,
partnered DEP® programs have the potential to generate significant future milestones and royalties.
Starpharma’s topical antiviral nasal spray, VIRALEZE™, is now registered in more than 35 countries*, including Europe, the UK,
and Asia. Starpharma’s novel non-antibiotic vaginal gel, VivaGel® BV, for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and prevention
of recurrent BV, is registered in more than 50 countries, including in the UK, Europe, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Australia and
New Zealand.
For more information about Starpharma, visit www.starpharma.com or connect with Starpharma on LinkedIn.
1
2
ASX Announcement dated 27 September 2023: DEP® irinotecan combination data presentation
PARP: an enzyme called poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), which is involved in DNA repair.
WE Communications
Hannah Howlett
+61 450 848 064
WE-AUStarPharma@weworldwide.com
Starpharma Holdings Limited
Dr Jackie Fairley, Chief Executive Officer
Justin Cahill, CFO and Company Secretary
+61 3 8532 2704
investor.relations@starpharma.com
4-6 Southampton Crescent
Abbotsford Vic 3067
Disclosure
This ASX Announcement was
authorised for release by the
Chair, Mr Rob Thomas.
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2
An SN38 dendrimer nanoparticle, DEP® irinotecan (SN38-SPL9111), demonstrates efficacy in mouse models of gastrointestinal cancer
and augments anti-tumor effects of immune checkpoint blockade and PARP inhibition
Benjamin J. Blyth,1,2 Brian D. Kelly,3 Michael Giannis,3 Anne Cargill,3 Aynaz Seta,3 Graham P. Heery,3 Anthony Eglezos,3 Cameron N. Johnstone,3 Jeremy R.A. Paull3
C167
1 Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; 2 University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; 3 Starpharma Pty Ltd, Abbotsford, Victoria 3067, Australia
-5
-10
0
10
20
30
40
Day
50
60
70
Table 1: DEP® irinotecan is superior to irinotecan (originally marketed as
Camptosar®) in suppressing growth of HT29 colorectal cancer xenografts.
Tumour growth inhibition (TGI) versus saline control was calculated at day 21,
the last day all vehicle treated animals remained in the study. P values were
calculated using Student’s t test.
Treatment
Irinotecan (20 mg/kg)
DEP® irinotecan (5 mg/kg)
DEP® irinotecan (10 mg/kg)
Percent TGI (%)
12
67
100
P value (vs saline)
0.92
< 0.0001
< 0.0001
Tumour volume (mm3)
DEP® IRINOTECAN VS IRINOTECAN
Figure 1A: DEP® irinotecan is superior to irinotecan (Camptosar®) in
suppressing
growth
of
HT29
colorectal
cancer
xenografts.
Immunocompromised BALB/c nude mice were inoculated with HT29 cells
(5x106) and therapy delivered on days 1, 8, 15, and 21 (vertical dashed lines).
N=8 per group.
1500
Saline
1250
Irinotecan (20 mg/kg)
DEP irinotecan (5 mg/kg)
1000
DEP irinotecan (10 mg/kg)
750
500
250
0
0
10
20
30
40
Day
50
60
70
1000
DEP irinotecan (8 mg/kg)
750
DEP irinotecan (28 mg/kg)
+ Isotype control
500
250
20
30
40
50
250
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Day
Figure 2B: DEP® irinotecan is well tolerated in CAPAN-1 tumor bearing mice.
Data are presented as % body weight change from day 0.
15
60
Figure 3B: Combined DEP® irinotecan and ICI is well tolerated by MC38
tumor bearing mice.
23
Saline + Isotype Control
22
Saline + anti-PD-1 Antibody
21
20
DEP irinotecan (28 mg/kg)
+ Isotype control
19
DEP irinotecan (28 mg/kg)
+ anti-PD-1 Antibody
18
17
0
10
20
30 40
Day
50
60
Irinotecan (23 mg/kg)
5
DEP irinotecan (8 mg/kg)
0
-5
-10
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Day
Table 2: DEP® irinotecan is superior to irinotecan (Camptosar®) in
suppressing growth of CAPAN-1 pancreatic cancer xenografts. TGI versus
saline control was calculated at day 32, the last day all animals remained in
the study. P values were calculated using Student’s t test.
Treatment
Irinotecan (23 mg/kg)
DEP irinotecan (8 mg/kg)
Percent TGI (%)
36
109
P value (vs saline)
0.0026
< 0.0001
100
Saline + Isotype Control
Saline + anti-PD-1 Antibody
75
DEP-SN38 (28 mg/kg)
+ Isotype control
50
DEP-SN38 (28 mg/kg)
+ anti-PD-1 Antibody
25
0
Saline
10
0
DEP irinotecan (18 mg/kg)
+ anti-PD-1
-5
-10
0
5
10
15
20
Day
Day
Probability of Survival
500
DEP irinotecan (18 mg/kg)
+ Isotype control
Figure 4C: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of DEP® irinotecan plus ICI in CT26
colorectal cancer allografts. Logrank (Mantel-Cox) P < 0.0014
0
10
anti-PD-1 Antibody
5
DEP irinotecan (28 mg/kg)
+ anti-PD-1 Antibody
Figure 3C: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of DEP® irinotecan plus ICI in
MC38 colorectal cancer allografts. Logrank (Mantel-Cox) P < 0.0001.
750
-15
Saline + anti-PD-1 Antibody
0
10
20
30 40
Day
50
60
Figure 4A: DEP® irinotecan co-operates with ICI to suppress growth of ICIresistant CT26 colorectal cancer allografts. Immunocompetent BALB/c mice
were inoculated with syngeneic CT26 tumour cells (1x106). Anti-PD-1 mAb
(rat anti-mouse PD-1, clone RMPI-14) or isotype control (rat IgG2a mAb,
clone 2A3) (Bio X Cell), delivered IP on day 1 (200 mg/dose), and then on days
5, 8, and 12 (100 mg/dose, black ticks) in PBS. N=5 per group.
Tumour Volume (mm )
Results
Irinotecan (23 mg/kg)
0
1000
Saline
1250
Saline + Isotype Control
0
3
DEP® irinotecan (SN38-SPL9111) (Starpharma). DBL™-Irinotecan (irinotecan
hydrochloride trihydrate) (Hospira). Olaparib (MedChemExpress) solubilised
in DMSO and oral formulation prepared (5 mg/mL) in 10% DMSO:15% (2Hydroxypropyl)-P-cyclodextrin in sterile water. Female mice were inoculated
SC with tumor cells in 1:1 PBS:Matrigel (xenografts), or PBS alone (allografts),
unless otherwise stated. Mice were randomized to treatment groups the day
prior to start of therapy (d0). Drug doses expressed in mg/kg of body weight
and dose corresponds to SN38 equivalents (w/w), where relevant. Mice were
weighed and tumors measured twice weekly using electronic calipers, unless
otherwise stated. Tumor volume (mm3) was calculated as length (mm)/2 x
width (mm)2. DEP® irinotecan was delivered IV on days 1, 8, 15, unless
otherwise stated. Immune checkpoint inhibitors were delivered as stated in
Figure Legends. Toleration of drug was bodyweight loss ≤ 15%. Tumor volume
body weights are expressed as mean ± SEM.
1500
Mean % body weight change
Materials and Methods
Tumour Volume (mm3)
Figure 2A: DEP® irinotecan is superior to irinotecan (Camptosar®) in
suppressing growth of CAPAN-1 pancreatic cancer xenografts. CAPAN-1 cells
(5x106) were inoculated into immunocompromised NSG mice. N=8 per group.
1250
Saline
10
1250
Saline + Isotype Control
1000
Saline + anti-PD-1 Antibody
750
DEP irinotecan (18 mg/kg)
+ isotype control
500
DEP irinotecan (18 mg/kg)
+ anti-PD-1 Antibody
250
0
0
5
10
Day
15
20
100
Saline + Isotype Control
Saline + anti-PD-1 Antibody
75
DEP irinotecan (18 mg/kg)
+ Isotype control
50
0
10
20
30
Treatment
Saline
anti-PD-1
DEP® irinotecan (18 mg/kg) + isotype control
DEP® irinotecan (18 mg/kg) + anti-PD-1
DEP® irinotecan (18 mg/kg) + isotype control
v DEP® irinotecan (18 mg/kg) + anti-PD-1
40
Median Survival (days) P value (vs saline)
14
na
ns
13
0.0072
19
40
0.0027
NA
0.1259
DEP® IRINOTECAN + PARP INHIBITION
Figure 5A: DEP® irinotecan co-operates with the PARP inhibitor, Olaparib
(Lynparza®), to suppress growth of HT29 colorectal cancer xenografts.
Immunocompromised BALB/c nude mice were inoculated with HT29 cells
(5x106) and DEP® irinotecan therapy delivered on days 1, 8, and 15 (vertical
dashed lines). Olaparib was delivered orally for 3 weeks on a 5 days on/2 days
off cycle as indicated by ticks. N=10 per group.
Vehicle
1200
Olaparib (50 mg/kg)
1000
Irinotecan (46 mg/kg)
800
Irinotecan (46 mg/kg) + Olaparib
600
DEP irinotecan (5 mg/kg)
400
DEP irinotecan (5 mg/kg) + Olaparib
200
DEP irinotecan (8 mg/kg)
DEP irinotecan (8 mg/kg) + Olaparib
0
30
Olaparib (50 mg/kg)
20
Irinotecan (46 mg/kg)
Irinotecan (46 mg/kg) + Olaparib
10
10
20
30
40 50
Day
60
70
80
ns
DEP irinotecan (5 mg/kg)
0
DEP irinotecan (5 mg/kg) + Olaparib
-10
DEP irinotecan (8 mg/kg)
-20
DEP irinotecan (8 mg/kg) + Olaparib
0
10
20
30
40 50
Day
60
70
ns
P < 0.0001
80
Figure 5C: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of DEP® irinotecan plus Olaparib
(Lynparza®) in HT29 colorectal cancer xenografts. Logrank (Mantel-Cox)
P < 0.0001.
Vehicle- Control
100
Olaparib (50 mg/kg)
Irinotecan (46 mg/kg)
75
Irinotecan (46 mg/kg)
+ Olaparib
50
DEP irinotecan (5mg/kg)
DEP irinotecan (5mg/kg)
+ Olaparib
25
0
DEP irinotecan (8mg/kg)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Day
DEP irinotecan (8mg/kg)
+ Olaparib
Table 4: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of DEP® irinotecan plus Olaparib in
HT29 colorectal cancer xenografts. Two-way P values were calculated using
the logrank (Mantel-Cox) test.
Day
Table 3: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of DEP® irinotecan plus ICI in CT26
colorectal cancer allografts. Two-way P values calculated using the logrank
(Mantel-Cox) test.
0
Vehicle
DEP irinotecan (18 mg/kg)
+ anti-PD-1 Antibody
25
0
40
Probability of Survival
0
Figure 5B: Combined DEP® irinotecan and Olaparib (Lynparza®) is well
tolerated by HT29 tumor bearing mice. Data are presented as % body weight
change from day 0.
Mean % body weight change
DEP irinotecan (10 mg/kg)
% Body Weight Change
DEP irinotecan (5 mg/kg)
Probability of Survival
5
Figure 4B: Combined DEP® irinotecan and ICI is well tolerated by CT26
tumor bearing mice. Data are presented as % body weight change from day
0.
Tumour Volume (mm3)
Irinotecan (20 mg/kg)
Bodyweight (g)
Saline
10
DEP® IRINOTECAN + IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITION
Figure 3A: DEP® irinotecan co-operates with immune checkpoint inhibition
(ICI) to suppress growth of MC38 colorectal cancer allografts.
Immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with syngeneic MC38
tumour cells (1x106). Anti-PD-1 mAb (rat anti-mouse PD-1, clone RMPI-14) or
isotype control (rat IgG2a mAb, clone 2A3) (Bio X Cell) delivered IP on days 1,
5, 8, and 12 (200 mg/dose, black ticks) in PBS. N=5 per group.
Tumour Volume (mm3)
Irinotecan is a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor pro-drug used to treat
gastrointestinal (GI) cancers including first line treatment for both colorectal
cancer (CRC) (as part of the FOLFIRI plus monoclonal antibody (mAb)
regimen), and pancreatic cancer (FOLFIRINOX regimen). However, irinotecan
causes severe, dose-limiting side effects, including diarrhea and neutropenia.
DEP® irinotecan is a highly optimized polylysine Dendrimer Enhanced Product
(DEP®) nanoparticle conjugate of the irinotecan active metabolite, SN38,
which avoids liver conversion of irinotecan to SN38 and achieves preferential
tumor targeting. DEP® irinotecan is in phase 2 clinical investigation as
monotherapy and combination therapy in patients with solid tumors
(EudraCT no: 2019-001318-40). SN38 is known to enhance efficacy of
immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) via effects on immune cells in the tumor
microenvironment. Here, we evaluated the anti-tumor effects of DEP®
irinotecan alone or in combination with either ICB (anti-programmed cell
death-1 [PD-1] mAb) or poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP) ribose polymerase
(PARP) inhibition (olaparib) in mouse models of GI cancer.
Figure 1B: DEP® irinotecan is well tolerated in HT29 tumor bearing mice.
Data are presented as % body weight change from day 0.
Mean % body weight change
Background
Treatment
Vehicle
Olaparib (50 mg/kg)
Irinotecan (46 mg/kg)
Irinotecan (46 mg/kg) + Olaparib
DEP® irinotecan (5mg/kg)
DEP® irinotecan (5 mg/kg) +
Olaparib
DEP® irinotecan (10 mg/kg)
DEP® irinotecan (10 mg/kg) +
Olaparib
Median survival (days)
35.0
35.0
42.0
40.0
45.0
P value (vs saline)
na
na
ns
ns
0.0130
64.5
< 0.0001
56.0
< 0.0001
84.0
< 0.0001
Conclusions
DEP® irinotecan was well tolerated and demonstrated enhanced antitumor efficacy vs. irinotecan (Camptosar®) in GI cancer xenografts.
DEP® irinotecan in combination with ICI enhanced anti-tumor effects vs.
ICI (anti-PD1) alone in both MC38 and CT26 allograft models of CRC.
DEP® irinotecan in combination with PARP inhibitor, Olaparib (Lynparza®),
enhanced anti-tumor effects vs. either agent alone in HT29 CRC
xenografts.
In a phase 1/2 clinical trial (see poster B039), DEP® irinotecan
monotherapy has achieved durable efficacy responses for up to 72 weeks
in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, with a disease control rate of 48%, in
heavily pre-treated patients that have progressed after treatment with
standard irinotecan. There have been no immune-mediated adverse
events.
Up to 85-95% of CRC patients do not respond to ICB because their cancer
is microsatellite stable (MSS). All CRC patients who responded to DEP®
irinotecan in the clinical study were MSS.
The data showing DEP® irinotecan enhances anti-tumor responses of ICI
and PARP inhibition in models of CRC, together with promising clinical
efficacy and safety of DEP® irinotecan in CRC and ovarian cancer, provide a
strong rationale for clinical evaluation of DEP® irinotecan in combination
with these important classes of therapy.
Acknowledgements: We acknowledge the Models of Cancer Translational Research Centre at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for the conduct of preclinical experiments in vivo.
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