In a KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC cell line, Calu-1, Hillstream BioPharma Demonstrated Significantly Greater Tumor Inhibition Combining Pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, and HSB-1216, a Ferroptosis Inducer

 

Source:  Hillstream Biopharma, Inc. 2/10/2023

Synergy and crosstalk between Ferroptosis and the Anti-PD-1 Pathways in KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide NSCLC accounts for approximately 80–85% of all cases of lung cancer

Hillstream BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: HILS) ("Hillstream" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company developing therapeutic candidates targeting drug resistant and devastating cancers using ferroptosis, an emerging new anti-cancer mechanism resulting in iron mediated cell death, and immuno-oncology targeted novel biologics, today announced initial results evaluating the synergy of HSB-1216 with immune checkpoint inhibitors in KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, Calu-1, with Pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody. The study demonstrated significantly greater tumor inhibition of Calu-1 cells, when grown with human PBMCs (SEB-activated) and treated with HSB-1216 and Pembrolizumab.

“We are greatly encouraged by the initial results showing crosstalk and synergy between an established and validated immuno-oncology pathway, anti-PD-1, and Ferroptosis, a new emerging iron-dependent cell death pathway and mechanism of action for HSB-1216,” said Randy Milby, Hillstream’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide with NSCLC accounting for approximately 80–85% of all cases. Despite significant progress and the development of anti-PD-1/PDL-1 therapeutics, the estimated 5-years overall survival (OS) remains low. anti-PD-1/PDL-1 therapeutics have substantially improved overall survival with an acceptable safety profile in NSCLC patients, however, not all patients respond. Several combination strategies are under evaluation, including evaluation of chemotherapy, targeted therapies and other modalities in combination with immunotherapy.

About Hillstream BioPharma Inc.
Hillstream BioPharma, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing therapeutic candidates targeting drug resistant and devastating cancers using ferroptosis, an emerging new anti-cancer mechanism resulting in iron mediated cell death, and immuno-oncology targeted novel biologics. The Company’s most advanced candidate, HSB-1216, expected to enter clinical trials in 2023, targets ferroptosis, an emerging new anti-cancer mechanism resulting in iron mediated cell death (IMCD) of drug resistant cancers. The Company’s emerging immuno-oncology pipeline is led by the HSB-1940 Quatrabody™, an anti-PD-1 novel biologic coated onto Quatramers, expected to enter the clinic in 2024.

Hillstream’s Quatramer™ proprietary tumor targeting platform extends duration of action and minimizes off-target toxicity for biologics, mRNA, peptides, small molecules and other modalities in the tumor microenvironment. Quatrabody conjugates novel biologics developed against undruggable epitopes of validated immuno-oncology targets, including PD-1, HER2, PDL-1, TROP2 and now MUC1-C, with greater binding affinity than approved therapies.