ImmunityBio's NK cell therapy shows promise in lymphoma trial.

ImmunityBio's shares rose after the company disclosed early-stage trial results for its natural killer cell therapy candidate in lymphoma patients. The Phase 1 QUILT-106 trial showed promising early data, with the company citing the results as a positive step forward in its immunotherapy development.

ImmunityBio (NASDAQ: IBRX) saw its shares rise following the release of early-stage trial results for its CD19 CAR-NK cell therapy candidate in lymphoma patients. The company's Phase 1 QUILT-106 trial showed encouraging data, with two patients achieving complete responses (CR) in heavily pretreated Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) cases [1].

The open-label study, led by Dr. Glenda Gray, is evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of CD19 CAR-NK cell therapy alone and in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) CD19⁺CD20⁺ B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The trial is enrolling 12 patients with NHL at three sites in South Africa, with two WM patients already enrolled [1].

In the first two evaluable patients with WM who had received multiple prior treatments, an entirely chemotherapy-free immunotherapy regimen induced complete responses. One patient achieved CR with CD19 CAR-NK monotherapy, while the second patient achieved CR with CD19 CAR-NK in combination with rituximab. Both patients tolerated the regimen with no significant toxicities, and the infusions were administered in an outpatient setting [1].

The preliminary findings from the QUILT-106 trial suggest that novel immunotherapy combinations without chemotherapy lymphodepletion can provide deep and durable remissions in WM even after multiple prior treatments. Dr. Jackie Thomson, lead author of the study, stated that the trial is ongoing to confirm these findings and establish this chemo-free strategy as a viable treatment option for relapsed WM [1].

ImmunityBio's CD19 CAR-NK therapy is a targeted high-affinity natural killer cell therapy that combines direct CAR-mediated cytotoxicity and augmented antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity when paired with rituximab. The therapy is designed to target CD19⁺/CD20⁺ lymphoma cells, enhancing tumor cell killing [1].

ImmunityBio is a vertically-integrated commercial stage biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies that bolster the natural immune system to defeat cancers and infectious diseases. The company's platforms and product candidates are designed to be more effective, accessible, and easily administered than current standards of care [1].

References:
[1] https://immunitybio.com/immunitybio-reports-complete-responses-in-non-hodgkin-waldenstrom-lymphoma-patients-with-chemotherapy-free-first-in-class-cd19-car-nk-immunotherapy/