Cantargia disclosed new clinical data indicating that nadunolimab counteract the serious problem of chemotherapy induced neuropathy, in addition to previously reported promising antitumor effects. The new data in 73 pancreatic cancer patients receiving nadunolimab and chemotherapy show a statistically significant correlation between nadunolimab dose level and incidence of neuropathy as well as a low level of grade 3 neuropathy, supporting the protective effect of nadunolimab. This positive effect is further strengthened by preclinical in vivo studies on chemotherapy induced neuropathy.

The new results will be presented at ASCO Annual Meeting May 31- June 4, 2024. Neuropathy is a serious medical condition and a side effect of several classes of chemotherapies. The main symptoms are weakness, pain and numbness in hands and feet.

Neuropathy often leads to discontinuation of therapy in patients despite effective antitumor activity. The mechanisms behind chemotherapy induced neuropathy relate to damaged nerve cells and neuroinflammation, where the IL-1 pathway has been indicated as a key driver. With nadunolimab blocking IL-1 activity through its binding to IL1RAP, nadunolimab has the potential to counteract neuropathy during treatment with chemotherapies, such as paclitaxel.

In the CANFOUR trial, 73 first line pancreatic cancer patients were treated with nadunolimab and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. The median survival of 13.2 months and iPFS of 7.2 months are longer than expected from historical control data for the chemotherapy alone (1). The incidence of neuropathy was notably lower than expected from chemotherapy treatment.

Only one grade 3 event was observed and a statistically significant (p=0.042) relationship between dose level and any grade neuropathy was observed. At 1 mg/kg nadunolimab, 60% of patients had any grade neuropathy with a median time to onset of 112 days. At 2.5 mg/kg or higher, only 36% had any grade neuropathy and median time to onset was not reached.

Studies in mouse models show that several aspects of chemotherapy induced neuropathy, such as sensitivity to mechanical pressure, temperature and decreased grip strength, all were prevented by concomitant treatment with the nadunolimab surrogate antibody. Combination studies were performed with either paclitaxel or vincristine.