– Adverse events consistent with established patterns for each drug; no unexpected toxicities observed
– 50% overall objective response rate; 10% complete response; highest responses observed in M1c patients; assessment via RECIST 1.1
KNOXVILLE, TN, Oct. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: PVCT, www.provectusbio.com) (“Provectus” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the development of the first small molecule oncolytic immunotherapy, intralesional (“IL”) PV-10, as a single agent for locally advanced disease as well as in combination with another agent for widely metastatic disease, both for multiple cancer indications, today announced that results from the Company’s ongoing Phase 1b/2 study of IL PV-10 in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s systemic anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) antibody agent, were presented at the Society for Melanoma Research 2017 Congress, held in Brisbane, Australia from October 18-21. IL injection of PV-10 induces immunogenic cell death that results in tumor-specific reactivity in circulating CD8+ T cells.
The Phase 1b portion of the study continues to enroll patients with metastatic melanoma at clinical sites in the U.S. and Australia (NCT02557321); Stage IV patients with at least one injectable lesion who are candidates for KEYTRUDA are eligible. A total of up to 24 patients would receive the combination of IL PV-10 and KEYTRUDA every three weeks for five cycles (i.e., for up to 12 weeks, with no further PV-10 administered after week 12), followed by only KEYTRUDA every three weeks for up to 24 months. The primary endpoint for the Phase 1b trial is safety and tolerability; objective response rate and progression-free survival are key secondary endpoints (both assessed via RECIST 1.1 after five treatment cycles, and then every 12 weeks thereafter).
IL PV-10 Results from the Phase 1b Trial Presented at SMR:
| ● | Baseline characteristics (safety population, N=12): 92% men; median age of 71.5 years (range 28-81), 67% > 65 years; 67% Stage IV M1b/c. | |
| ● | Subject characteristics (safety population): 2.5 median number of cutaneous/subcutaneous lesions (range 1-40); patients had substantial non-injected systemic disease burden in addition to their injectable cutaneous and/or subcutaneous lesions; patients received a median of 5 cycles of PV-10 (mean 3.8, range 1-5); PV-10 was not administered after week 12. | |
| ● | Preliminary safety (safety population): adverse events were consistent with the established patterns for each drug; there were no unexpected toxicities or evidence of compounded toxicity. | |
| ● | Preliminary target lesion efficacy (efficacy evaluable population, N=10): 50% complete response; 80% objective response; maximum response. | |
| ● | Preliminary overall efficacy (efficacy evaluable population): 10% complete response; 50% objective response; 60% clinical benefit; highest responses observed in M1c patients; per RECIST 1.1. |
Dominic Rodrigues, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, said, “These preliminary results highlight the safety characteristics of the combination of intralesional PV-10 and checkpoint inhibition. The data confirm an almost complete absence of correlation of adverse events between the two drugs, which we refer to as ‘orthogonality.’ This outcome is very different from when oncolytic viruses or other biologics are used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.”
Mr. Rodrigues added, “There also was promising clinical benefit after minimal PV-10 intervention, especially in those patients with Stage IV M1c disease. These data support the advancement of the combination of PV-10 and checkpoint inhibition in the clinical study of metastatic melanoma.”
A copy of the poster presentation is currently available on Provectus’ website at http://provectusbio.com/media/docs/publications/SMR-2017-Poster-P15-1_18-Oct-2017.pdf.
About Provectus
Provectus is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the development of a new class of drugs based on halogenated xanthenes. Intralesional PV-10, the first small molecule oncolytic immunotherapy, is undergoing clinical study for adult solid tumor cancers like melanoma and cancers of the liver, and preclinical study for pediatric cancers. Topical PH-10 is undergoing clinical study for inflammatory dermatoses like psoriasis. Information about the Company’s clinical trials can be found at the NIH registry, www.clinicaltrials.gov. For additional information about Provectus, please visit the Company’s website at www.provectusbio.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. These statements reflect management’s current knowledge, assumptions, beliefs, estimates, and expectations and express management’s current views of future performance, results, and trends and may be identified by their use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “would,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” and other similar terms. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to materially differ from those described in the forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Such statements are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements after this date.
Risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to materially differ from those described in forward-looking statements include those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including those described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016).
Trademark
KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. Kenilworth, New Jersey, U.S.A.