Bretzlaff, William

Abstract Background: Despite the success treating hematologic malignancies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapies face challenges in breast cancer and other solid tumors due to lack of targets that distinguish tumor from normal cells. Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a critical role in oncogenesis across several cancers and is often upregulated [1]. While monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR have demonstrated efficacy, these approaches are often limited by on-target, off-tumor toxicities, such as skin and gastrointestinal toxicity, which constrains dose escalation and efficacy [2]. A2B395 is an allogeneic, logic-gated, EGFR-targeted, TmodTM CAR T therapy designed to address these limitations and provide a convenient and consistent off-the-shelf option. This therapy incorporates 2 CARs: an activator targeting EGFR and a blocker targeting human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*02. The activator recognizes EGFR on both tumor and normal cells, whereas the blocker inhibits CAR T activity against normal cells (with preserved HLA expression) while allowing activation against tumor cells (with HLA-A*02 loss of heterozygosity [LOH]). This approach is designed to avoid on-target, off-tumor toxicity, a significant limitation to CAR T treatment of solid tumors [3]. To address potential graft-vs-host response, a short-hairpin RNA expression module targeting beta-2 microglobulin is included in the Tmod construct, which significantly reduces major histocompatibility complex class I levels and subsequent host immune response [4]. Importantly, the Tmod system is modular and adaptable to multiple targets. Initial data on autologous Tmod CAR T therapy suggest reduced off-tumor toxicity and encouraging clinical efficacy [5]. A2B395 represents a novel approach for targeting EGFR-expressing solid tumors with HLA-A*02 loss of heterozygosity. Methods: DENALI-1 is a phase 1/2, open-label, nonrandomized study evaluating the safety and efficacy of A2B395 in adults. Patients are enrolled through BASECAMP-1 (NCT04981119), a master prescreening study that identifies patients with HLA loss of heterozygosity at any time in the course of their disease via next-generation sequencing. Key inclusion criteria include histologically confirmed recurrent, unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic cancers associated with EGFR expression, including triple-negative breast, colorectal, non-small cell lung, squamous cell head and neck, and renal cell cancers. Patients must have received ≥1 line of prior therapy, such as a checkpoint inhibitor, molecular targeted therapy, or chemotherapy. The primary objective of the phase 1 portion is to evaluate safety, tolerability, and the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) using a Bayesian optimal interval design for dose escalation. The dose-expansion phase will confirm the RP2D and collect and analyze biomarker data. The Phase 2 portion will assess overall response rate per RECIST v1.1. As of 03 July 2025, the first patient dosed with A2B395, who has breast cancer, completed the 28-day safety review period. Dose-escalation is ongoing. Citation Format: J. M. Specht, S. R. Punekar, M. Ulrickson, D. J. Wong, J. R. Hecht, M. Maus, P. M. Grierson, J. B. Sunwoo, J. R. Molina, D. G. Maloney, K. Spencer, H. E. Fuentes Bayne, M. Davila, S. P. Patel, B. Creelan, D. B. Zhen, J. Niu, D. C. Prasad, R. L. Marar, N. A. Bagegni, G. Palluconi, J. Lee, A. Mardiros, W. Bretzlaff, W. J. Langeberg, J. S. Welch, E. Ng, W. Y. Go, K. Kirtane, R. A. Shatsky. Denali-1: a seamless phase 1/2 study of A2B395, a logic-gated, allogeneic, Tmod chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy, in patients with triple-negative breast cancer and other EGFR-expressing solid tumors with HLA-A*02 loss of heterozygosity (LOH) [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 PS5-08-03.

e16408 Background: A2B530 is a logic-gated CEA-targeting Tmod CAR T therapy being evaluated in the EVEREST-1 (NCT05736731) phase 1/2 study. Tmod CAR T therapy addresses challenges of on-target, off-tumor toxicity that have limited application of CAR T therapy to solid tumors (Tabernero, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2017); through use of a CEA-targeted CAR-activating receptor combined with a blocking receptor recognizing HLA-A*02, A2B530 can distinguish between tumor and normal cells (Sandberg, et al. Sci Transl Med. 2022). Methods: Patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors expressing CEA and tumor-associated HLA-A*02 LOH are enrolled through the ongoing prescreening study BASECAMP-1 (NCT04981119). Eligible patients undergo leukapheresis and, when clinically appropriate, A2B530 is manufactured for the EVEREST-1 study. Patients undergo lymphodepletion before A2B530 infusion. The phase 1 dose escalation will evaluate safety, tolerability, manufacturing feasibility, and biomarkers starting at 1x10 8 Tmod positive cells (dose level [DL] 1) up to 6x10 8 cells and higher doses of lymphodepleting chemotherapy (LDC; DL 5). After the recommended phase 2 dose has been established, dose expansion will confirm safety and activity. Results: As of January 15, 2025, 14 total participants were enrolled on EVEREST-1 and had received A2B530 infusion at DLs 1-5, 4 (29%) with pancreatic (PANC) and 10 (71%) with colorectal cancer. Median age was 57 years (range, 34-76), with a median of 2 prior lines of therapy (range, 1-6). LDC was well tolerated: neutropenia nadired at days 7-10, with recovery in all patients, and no significant episodes of prolonged cytopenia. There were no dose-limiting toxicities, grade > 3 serious adverse events (AEs), or episodes of related neurotoxicity. Most gastrointestinal AEs occurred early and were grade 1 or 2. One patient in DL 2 (2x10 8 cells) experienced possible grade 2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which started on day 15 and resolved with supportive therapy within 2 days; later the CRS diagnosis was confounded by a positive blood culture from the participant’s central line. The low rate of CRS is consistent with the low levels of serum cytokines measured up to 28 days post-infusion. Central response assessment has been completed for the 6 participants in DLs 1-2, with a partial response observed in 1 of 3 (33%) of participants with PANC. Peak expansion shows a possible dose response. Conclusions: Treatment with A2B530 was well tolerated, showing potential clinical efficacy and a potential dose response, although these are initial results. Maximum tolerated dose has not been reached, and dose escalation continues to determine the optimal phase 2 dosing of this treatment regimen. Clinical trial information: NCT05736731 .