Alan Ho, MD, PhD
Alan Ho, MD, PhD, recently presented updated results from a phase II trial evaluating the combination of an HPV16-targeted investigational immunotherapeutic agent eseba-vec (previously known as HB-200) and the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab as first-line therapy for human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-positive relapsed or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.1 The data were presented at the 2024 Society for Immunotherapy in Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting. Dr. Ho is Chief of the Head and Neck Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Study Details and Key Findings
The late-breaking poster presentation focused on results from a subset of 27 patients (PD-L1 combined positive score [CPS] ≥ 20), with 25 patients evaluable for response. The data showed an overall response rate of 52% for all eseba-vec doses tested, with a disease control rate of 80%, as of the September 2024 data cutoff. Although progression-free and overall survival data are still maturing, preliminary median progression-free survival is more than 16 months, with a 12-month overall survival rate of 83%; further, 66.7% of confirmed responses are ongoing. In addition, according to the investigators, the observed clinical activity is supported by a rapid and durable tumor antigen–specific T-cell response. Data are generally consistent for the selected phase III dose level, including a 55% overall response rate, which is an approximately twofold increase compared with historical pembrolizumab monotherapy data. Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 7.6% of patients.
Dr. Ho commented in a press release: “As a medical oncologist who specializes in head and neck cancers, I am inspired by the results of the expanded eseba-vec/pembrolizumab phase II study because of the potentially clinically meaningful response rate and encouraging [progression-free survival and overall survival] data. In addition, the regimen has a manageable safety profile that ensures most patients can maintain treatment.”
DISCLOSURE: For full disclosures of all study authors, visit SITCCancer.org.
REFERENCE
1. Ho AL, Nabell L, Neupane P, et al: Eseba-vec (HB-200) plus pembrolizumab as first-line treatment of recurrent/metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancer: Updated results in PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20 patients. 2024 SITC Annual Meeting. Abstract 1480. Presented November 9, 2024.
