BioLineRx Presents Preclinical Data From Triple Combination of BL-8040, Anti PD-1 and Chemotherapy Demonstrating Significant Reduction in Pancreatic Tumor Growth and Favorable Changes in Tumor Microenvironment
"The results seen in this preclinical pancreatic cancer study support our hypothesis that the triple combination of BL-8040, anti-PD-1 and chemotherapy helps combat this difficult to treat cancer," said
About the Pre-Clinical Study
The pre-clinical study assessed the effects of BL-8040, anti-PD-1 and chemotherapy (Irinotecan, Fluorouracil and Leucovorin), both alone and in various combinations, on tumor growth and immune cell constitution in a mouse model for pancreatic cancer.
Key findings include:
- The triple combination of BL-8040+anti-PD-1+chemotherapy had a significantly better effect on tumor growth compared to chemotherapy alone or any dual combination with chemotherapy.
- The triple combination of BL-8040+anti-PD-1+chemotherapy showed the best effect in modulation of the tumor microenvironment, resulting in reduction in immunosuppressive cells, and accompanied by increase of activated T effector cells.
About BL-8040
BL-8040 is a short synthetic peptide that functions as a high-affinity best-in-class antagonist for CXCR4, a chemokine receptor over-expressed in many human cancers. CXCR4 has been shown to be correlated with poor prognosis, and plays a key role in tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. CXCR4 is also directly involved in the homing and retention of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and various hematological malignant cells in the bone marrow.
In a number of clinical and preclinical studies, BL-8040 has shown a critical role in immune cell trafficking, tumor infiltration by immune effector T cells and reduction in immunosuppressive cells within the tumor niche, turning "cold" tumors, such as pancreatic cancer, into "hot" tumors (i.e., sensitizing them to immune check point inhibitors). BL-8040-mediated inhibition of the CXCR4-CXCL12 (SDF-1) axis has also shown robust mobilization of HSCs for transplantation in hematological malignancies.
BL-8040 was licensed by BioLineRx from Biokine Therapeutics and was previously developed under the name BKT-140.
About BioLineRx
BioLineRx is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on multiple oncology indications. The Company's lead program, BL-8040, is a cancer therapy platform currently being evaluated in a Phase 2a study in pancreatic cancer in combination with KEYTRUDA® and chemotherapy under a collaboration agreement with MSD. BL-8040 is also being evaluated in a Phase 2b study in consolidation AML and a Phase 3 study in stem cell mobilization for autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. In addition, the Company has an ongoing collaboration agreement with Genentech, a member of the
BioLineRx is developing a second oncology program, AGI-134, an immunotherapy treatment for multiple solid tumors that is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2a study.
For additional information on BioLineRx, please visit the Company's website at www.biolinerx.com, where you can review the Company's
Various statements in this release concerning BioLineRx's future expectations constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include words such as "may," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," and "intends," and describe opinions about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BioLineRx to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks are: changes in relationships with collaborators; the impact of competitive products and technological changes; risks relating to the development of new products; and the ability to implement technological improvements. These and other factors are more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of BioLineRx's most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the
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