Microbiotica tests MB097 to enhance KEYTRUDA efficacy in melanoma patients
- Microbiotica presents findings on MB097's action mechanisms at a recent American Association meeting.
- The drug candidate shows promise in enhancing immunotherapy response, especially for advanced melanoma.
- The ongoing clinical trial aims to provide effective treatment options for patients resistant to traditional therapies.
In the United Kingdom, Microbiotica, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, recently presented new findings regarding its drug candidate MB097. This drug is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial alongside KEYTRUDA®, an anti-PD-1 therapy developed by Merck & Co., Inc. The study focuses on patients with advanced melanoma who have not responded to previous immunotherapies, which affect nearly 50% of this patient demographic. Scientists have identified multiple gut bacteria strains in the formulation of MB097 that are linked to improvements in immune response to therapy. Dr. Mat Robinson, Senior Vice-President of Research at Microbiotica, presented these findings during a poster session at an American Association meeting. The research indicates that specific gut commensal bacteria seem to enhance the immune system's response when paired with immunotherapy agents like KEYTRUDA. The study data suggests that MB097 allows for better dendritic cell function and improved levels of interleukin-12, highlighting the importance of gut health in cancer immunity and response to treatment. With the recent data indicating multiple interaction pathways, Microbiotica aims to pave the way for precision medicine in oncology. They are currently employing their proprietary microbiome profiling platform developed in collaboration with Cambridge University Hospitals. This collaboration has strengthened their research by analyzing previous clinical data to identify specific bacterial strains associated with positive patient outcomes. The full spectrum of findings from this trial is anticipated to be released by the end of 2025. This effort is part of a broader initiative to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to treatment-resistant cancer patients. By honing in on the complex relationships between the microbiome and immune response, Microbiotica hopes to offer new therapeutic avenues for patients suffering from advanced melanoma and similar conditions.