Pyxis Oncology (NASDAQ:PYXS) has announced the initiation of a Phase 1/2 combination trial of its PYX-201 in conjunction with Merk’s (NYSE: MRK) anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), for the treatment of multiple solid tumors. Additionally, the company has expanded its Phase 1 monotherapy trial to include cohorts of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
According to Pyxis, PYX-201 is a first-in-concept antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) designed to selectively target extradomain-B fibronectin (EDB+FN), a non-cellular structural component of the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) that is highly expressed across various tumor types.
Lara S. Sullivan, MD, president and CEO of Pyxis, commented, “PYX-201 is designed to specifically deliver its AUR-0101 payload within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and has been shown to induce immunogenic cell death. When combined with pembrolizumab, PYX-201 may have the potential to enhance the oncologic responses observed with pembrolizumab, by allowing activated T cells to infiltrate TMEs that are often inaccessible and inhospitable.”
“Treatment options for many patients with advanced solid tumors remain limited, and we are eager to explore this promising therapeutic approach,” Dr. Sullivan added.
