Bellicum Reports Clinical Results of BPX-501 in Pediatric Leukemias at the 22nd Congress of the European Hematology Association
“These data demonstrate that BPX-501-modified T cells can provide rapid hematological reconstitution and a potentially stronger anti-leukemic effect in children with high-risk disease than traditional T-cell depleted transplants,” said Franco Locatelli, MD, PhD, Director of the
Summary of Results (Abstract S495)
Investigators evaluated the safety and efficacy of an infusion of BPX-501 in children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n=28) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (n=19) following an alpha/beta T-cell depleted haplo-HSCT. Patients had a median follow-up of approximately eight months (11 months in surviving patients). Results from the three European trial sites showed:
- Disease relapse rate of 14.72% in BPX-501 treated patients
- Median neutrophil recovery = 16 days (9-24); median platelet engraftment = 11 days (8-19); median time to hospital discharge = 21.5 days (14-103)
- Acute GvHD Grade 2-4 was 11.83%; acute GvHD Grade 3-4 was 4.70%
- Chronic GvHD Grade Moderate-Severe was 3.23%
- Non-relapse mortality (NRM) of 3.23% in BPX-501 patients
- Re-expansion of infection-fighting BPX-501 cells after a sharp decrease following infusion of rimiducid, with no reoccurrence of GvHD
- Results compare favorably to historic controls1
Commented
The presentation slides (abstract S495) will be made available in the Events and Presentations section of the Bellicum website shortly after the time of the presentation.
About BPX-501
BPX-501 is an adjunct T-cell therapy administered after allogeneic HSCT, comprising genetically modified donor T cells incorporating Bellicum’s CaspaCIDe® safety switch. It is designed to provide a safety net to eliminate alloreactive BPX-501 T cells (via administration of activator agent rimiducid) should uncontrollable GvHD occur. This enables physicians to more safely perform stem cell transplants by administering BPX-501 engineered T cells to speed immune reconstitution, provide control over viral infections and enhance Graft-versus-leukemic effect, without unacceptable GvHD risk. The ongoing BP-004 clinical study of BPX-501 is being conducted at transplant centers in the U.S. and Europe.
About
Bellicum is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing cellular immunotherapies for cancers and orphan inherited blood disorders. Bellicum is using its proprietary Chemical Induction of Dimerization (CID) technology platform to engineer and control components of the immune system. Bellicum is developing next-generation product candidates in some of the most important areas of cellular immunotherapy, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and CAR T and TCR cell therapies. More information can be found at www.bellicum.com.
1 Locatelli F. et al, Blood 2017 in press
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Bellicum may, in some cases, use terms such as "predicts," "believes," "potential," "proposed," "continue," “designed,” "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things: our research and development activities relating to our BPX-501, CaspaCIDe, CID, CAR T and TCR programs; the effectiveness of BPX-501 and of rimiducid; their possible range of application and potential curative effects and safety in the treatment of diseases; and, the timing and success of our clinical trials. Various factors may cause differences between Bellicum’s expectations and actual results as discussed in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in Bellicum’s filings with the
Investors:Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Alan Musso , CFO 832-384-1116 amusso@bellicum.com Media:BMC Communications Brad Miles 646-513-3125 bmiles@bmccommunications.com