NetScientific portfolio company PDS Biotechnology has reported a second set of promising cancer trial data within the space of 24 hours.
PDS reported a 74% survival rate overall after 24 months in a head and neck cancer trial combining its PDS0101 immunotherapy treatment with Merck’s blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda.
Survival rates are around 30% for treatment with an approved immune checkpoint inhibitor as a single treatment, PDS added.
Tumour shrinkage was seen in around 60% (31/52) of patients taking part in the trial, added PDS.
Frank Bedu-Addo, PDS chief executive, commented: "The updated interim data from our VERSATILE-002 clinical trial further validates the potential of PDS0101 when combined with Keytruda to address the urgent need for more effective therapies that are well tolerated."
These therapies will allow advanced recurrent and metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancer patients to live significantly longer lives than current approaches, he added.
“Following feedback from the FDA, we look forward to evaluating this promising combination treatment in the VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 clinical trial, which we expect to initiate in the fourth quarter of 2023.”
Earlier today, PDS reported that PDS0101, when used alongside standard treatments, showed a rapid decrease in signs of cancer in the blood.