Discussing Modakafusp Alfa as a Potential Treatment in RRMM

Dan T. Vogl, MD, MSCE, of Abramson Cancer Center, associate professor of medicine (Hematology-Oncology) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, discusses the mechanism of action of modakafusp alfa (previously TAK-573) for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Modakafusp alfa is a novel immune-targeted attenuated cytokine that is designed to deliver interferon-alpha to CD38-expressing cells via a CD38-targeting IgG4 monoclonal antibody.

The targeted interferon therapy was evaluated in a first-in-human, open-label, phase 1 trial (NCT03215030) to determine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of modakafusp alfa as single agent as well as in combination with dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Patients enrolled in the study are aged 18 years and older with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The 3-part study also included a 30 patient dose-expansion cohort.

Transcription:

0:10 | Modakafusp alfa, which we are calling moda, is a targeted interferon therapy. It is an immunocytokine fusion protein combining attenuated interferon alpha-2b molecules attached to an anti-CD38 antibody backbone. So, it is a way of delivering interferon alpha signaling directly to CD38-expressing cells, which includes both myeloma plasma cells in a variety of cells in the immune system.

0:39 | We are presenting the final results from our phase 1 trial of modakafusp alfa comprising a total of 100 patients treated at a variety of doses, including a 30 patient expansion cohort at 1 of the 2 doses that we think would be a recommended phase 2 dose of 1.5 mg per kg IV every 4 weeks. We are really excited about the results of the trial. We are seeing an exciting response rate of 43% at our recommended phase 2 dose, including responses in patients who are refractory to prior anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, and responses in heavily refractory patients, including patients refractory to anti-BCMA therapies.