Data demonstrates reduced T-cell exhaustion and cytokine release compared to conventional CAR-T therapies.
Phase 1 U.S. clinical trial underway for mesothelin-targeted candidate 'SynKIR-110'.
HLB Innovation (024850) announced on the 16th that its U.S. subsidiary, Verismo Therapeutics, will present preclinical research results for its solid tumor CAR-T therapy, utilizing the next-generation KIR-CAR platform, at an upcoming international medical conference.
Verismo is scheduled to present a poster on the preclinical findings of its mesothelin-targeted KIR-CAR T-cell therapy at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) annual meeting, held in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 6 (local time).
The study compared Verismo's multi-chain KIR-CAR T-cells against conventional single-chain CAR-T therapies—typically based on CD28 or 4-1BB structures—in in vivo preclinical models. Results indicated that the KIR-CAR platform significantly reduced T-cell exhaustion and cytokine release compared to traditional methods.
While CAR-T therapies have demonstrated high efficacy in treating blood cancers, their application in solid tumors has been hindered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and T-cell exhaustion caused by persistent antigen stimulation.
Verismo’s KIR-CAR platform employs a multi-chain design that mimics the structure of natural killer (NK) cell KIR receptors. Unlike conventional CAR-T designs, which combine antigen recognition and signaling elements into a single chain, this platform separates the two components, ensuring that activation signals are triggered only upon recognition of the target antigen on cancer cells.
The mesothelin-targeted KIR-CAR technology featured in this study is the same platform utilized for 'SynKIR-110,' currently in Phase 1 clinical trials in the United States. SynKIR-110 is being developed to treat advanced solid tumors that express mesothelin, including ovarian cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and mesothelioma.
Earlier this year, Verismo presented preliminary clinical data for SynKIR-110 at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting. That research was selected for a Plenary Session, highlighting the therapy's potential as a breakthrough for solid tumor treatment.
"This study is significant as it provides in vivo evidence that the multi-chain KIR-CAR structure effectively mitigates T-cell exhaustion and cytokine release when compared directly to existing CAR-T therapies," said Bryan Kim, CEO and co-founder of Verismo Therapeutics. "Building on these results, we will continue to advance the clinical development of SynKIR-110 to unlock new possibilities in solid tumor immunotherapy."
