Jounce: Patients from ovarian cancer combo cohort study had durable responses

Jounce Therapeutics announced that patients from the INNATE Phase 2 trial in the ovarian cancer combination cohort with platinum resistant ovarian cancer are experiencing deep and durable responses based on a pre-planned informal data review. The INNATE trial evaluates JTX-8064 as a monotherapy and in combination with the PD-1 inhibitor pimivalimab in patients with advanced solid tumors. JTX-8064, is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody designed to specifically bind to the macrophage receptor Leukocyte Immunoglobulin Like Receptor B2 , inhibiting LILRB2 binding with its ligands which may result in reprogramming immune-suppressive macrophages to enhance anti-tumor immunity. "Tumor reduction was observed at 9 weeks in all the responding patients in the ovarian cancer cohort of the INNATE trial, but most did not achieve a PR until week 18, which delayed our ability to assess efficacy in this cohort. Platinum resistant ovarian cancer is a patient population with significant unmet need and progressive disease is often associated with debilitating symptoms." Enrollment has been completed in all cohorts in the INNATE trial. In addition to the patients with ovarian cancer, both durable responses and stable disease have occurred in patients with renal cell carcinoma, biliary tract cancer, and first-line and second/third-line head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but the ovarian data is the most encouraging with potential to achieve pre-determined POC criteria. As previously announced, Jounce is seeking to partner JTX-8064. Jounce continues to believe a company with additional resources and a longer value creation timeline could potentially advance this program for the benefit of cancer patients.