The results, assessed by the principal investigator, show that 4 out of 6 treated patients achieved complete metabolic response (CMR, no active disease).

“We are highly encouraged that 4 out of 6 patients in the first cohorts with low doses achieved complete metabolic response, including one patient who previously relapsed on CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy,” said Jamal El-Mosleh, CEO of Elicera Therapeutics. “These early data underscore the potential of our iTANK-armed ELC-301 to offer a new treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat B-cell lymphoma.”

The CARMA study

The CARMA study evaluates the safety and efficacy of ELC-301 in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma. The study includes a dose-escalation phase (Phase I, 12 patients) and a dose-expansion phase (Phase IIa, 6 patients). ELC-301 utilizes the iTANK platform to activate a broader immune response against cancer cells.

The primary aim of the Phase I study is to investigate the safety of ELC-301. No severe or unexpected adverse events have been observed in the first two cohorts, and the study’s independent Data Safety Monitoring Board has therefore recommended that the evaluation of ELC-301 can proceed to the third and final dose cohort, where six patients will receive the maximum planned dose (10 times Cohort 1).