Phase II study demonstrates promising survival outcomes in patients with metastatic breast cancer using an allogenic vaccine and checkpoint inhibition.
Background Management of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) continues to present obstacles, as many pts develop resistance to or cannot tolerate standard of care treatments. Bria-IMT combines two modalities to both overcome immune exhaustion and minimize the toxic safety profiles commonly observed in contemporary late stage therapies: an allogeneic whole-cell vaccine (SV-BR-1-GM) and checkpoint inhibition (CPI). The SV-BR-1-GM cell line originates from breast cancer cells and are engineered to secrete GM-CSF and irradiated before administration. These cells upregulate surface presentation of tumor associated antigens on both HLA class I and II, enhancing tumor recognition by T cells. Coadministration w/ an anti-PD-1 CPI, the vaccine response is reinforced, counteracting the immuno-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Methods This phase I/II study evaluated the Bria-IMT regimen: low-dose cyclophosphamide (Day –2) followed by SV-BR-1-GM and CPI (pembrolizumab or retifanlimab), then low-dose local peg- interferon α. Cycles q3w. In the phase II study, pts were randomized 1:1 to start CPI immediately at cycle 1 (C1) or delayed start at cycle 2 (C2). There were 2 formulations of SV-BR-1-GM w/ IFNγ stimulation (IFNγ) or unstimulated (PH3). Cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and PD-L1 expression scores on these cells were monitored as biomarkers. Candida skin test assessed anergy status before cycle 1, and a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test to SV-BR-1-GM was assessed at each cycle w/ a small SV-BR-1-GM dose before the full dose. Results Results of the randomized phase II study cohort are reported (n = 32). Retifanlimab was co-administered w/ SV-BR-1-GM at C1 or C2. Median age 61 (41-80) years; median number of prior regimens was 6 (2-13). 20(63%) pts were ER+/PR+/HER2-; 3(9%) HER2+, and 9 (28%) triple-negative (TNBC). The Bria-IMT regimen was well tolerated, w/ no drop-outs attributable to Bria-IMT. The majority of adverse events (93.8%) grade 1-2, w/ (40.6%) grades 3 and 4. Common AEs included injection site reactions (53%), nausea (43.8%), and fatigue (34%). The median progression free survival (PFS) was 3.5 (range: 1.8-24.5) and overall survival (OS) 9.5 (2.4-31.6) months. One patient remains on therapy, approaching 25 months of PFS. PFS and OS among pts who received immediate vs. delayed start of CPI (PFS 3.7 vs. 3.3 mo, HR: 0.59; 95% CI 0.3-1.2, p=0.16 | OS 13.3 vs. 7.4 months, HR: 0.78; 95% CI 0.34-1.8, p = 0.56). Pts who received the SV-BR-1-GM Ph3 formulation (n=21) had an increase in both PFS (4.1 vs 2.6 months, p = 0.005) and OS (16.6 vs. 9.1 months, HR: 0.6; 95% CI 0.2 - 1.4, p = 0.24); best objective response rate was 12% and the clinical benefit rate was 53%. In ER+/PR+/HER2-, overall OS was 11.7 (3.5-31.6) mo, 17.3 mo (3.5-27.9) in Ph3; HER2+ 7.2 (4.7-24.5) mo, all received Ph3; TNBC 9.9 (2.4-23.0) mo, 16.6 mo (2.4-23.0) in Ph3. In pts w/ available data, pts w/ post-dose CTC count < 5 significantly improved OS compared w/ a CTC count > 5 (16.6 vs. 5.5 months, p = 0.0003). Pts w/ positive DTH response had significantly improved PFS (3.6 vs. 2.4 months, p = 0.01) and OS (11.9 vs. 4.7 months, p < 0.0001). Conclusions In heavily pretreated MBC pts, the Bria-IMT regimen demonstrated promising results and a favorable safety profile across all subtypes of breast cancer. A clinically meaningful, though not statistically significant, difference in OS was observed between pts receiving CPI at C1 versus C2. Superior outcomes were observed in pts receiving SV-BR-1-GM w/o IFNγ incubation, guiding selection of Ph3 formulation for ongoing and subsequent clinical trials. Pts w/ post-dose CTC count < 5, and positive DTH response had significantly improved outcomes. On basis of these results, a randomized phase III trial comparing the Bria-IMT regimen to physician's choice is ongoing (NCT06072612). Trial information: NCT03328026. Citation Format: C. Nangia, S. Chumsri, K. Rowland, L. Negret, J. Knecth, B. Bayer, T. Aghajanian, W. Williams, G. Del Priore, C. Calfa. Survival Results of Phase II Bria-IMT Allogenic Whole Cell-Based Cancer Vaccine [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS1-13-23.
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