Early Trial Results Hint at Durable Responses but Questions Remain for CHM CDH17
Chimeric Therapeutics reports promising interim results from its CHM CDH17 Phase 1/2 trial, with 75% disease control at 28 days and durable responses in gastrointestinal cancers.
- 75% disease control at 28 days in evaluable patients
- 100% stable disease in patients at higher dose level
- One colorectal cancer patient maintains stable disease nearly 1 year post-treatment
- Phase 1/2 trial targets advanced gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine tumors
- CHM CDH17 is a novel third-generation CAR-T therapy targeting CDH17 biomarker
Promising Early Results in CAR-T Therapy
Chimeric Therapeutics (ASX – CHM) has announced encouraging interim data from its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of CHM CDH17, a novel CAR-T cell therapy targeting gastrointestinal cancers. The trial, designed to evaluate safety and efficacy in advanced colorectal, gastric, and neuroendocrine tumors, reported disease control in 75% of evaluable patients at 28 days post-treatment.
Notably, all four patients treated at the higher dose level (Dose Level 2) achieved stable disease, indicating a halt in tumor progression or shrinkage according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. This uniform response at the increased dose level suggests a dose-dependent therapeutic effect that could inform optimal dosing strategies moving forward.
Durable Responses Highlight Potential
Among the most striking outcomes is a colorectal cancer patient from the lower dose cohort who has maintained stable disease for nearly a year without any additional anticancer therapy. This durability of response is particularly significant in the context of advanced gastrointestinal cancers, which often have limited treatment options and poor prognoses.
CHM CDH17 is a third-generation CAR-T therapy developed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, targeting the CDH17 biomarker associated with aggressive tumor behavior. Preclinical studies published in Nature Cancer demonstrated its ability to eradicate tumors in multiple cancer types, and these early clinical results now provide a promising translation of that preclinical success into human patients.
Next Steps and Market Implications
The Phase 1/2 trial aims to establish a recommended Phase 2 dose and further evaluate safety and objective response rates. With only eight evaluable patients reported so far, the data remain preliminary but are sufficiently compelling to warrant close attention from investors and the oncology community.
Chimeric’s broader pipeline, including other CAR-T and NK cell therapies, positions the company as a notable player in the competitive cell therapy landscape. Continued updates on this trial’s progression and expanded cohorts will be critical to assess the full potential of CHM CDH17 and its impact on patient outcomes.
Bottom Line?
Chimeric’s early clinical success with CHM CDH17 sets the stage for pivotal data that could reshape treatment for gastrointestinal cancers.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Phase 2 dose selection confirm the efficacy seen at Dose Level 2?
- What safety profile emerges as more patients are treated and followed longer?
- How will CHM CDH17 compare to other emerging CAR-T therapies targeting solid tumors?