Abbisko wins Best Poster at ESMO 2024 for Irpagratinib data

Abbisko Therapeutics announced on September 18, 2024, that they received the Best Poster Award at the ESMO 2024 conference for their research on Irpagratinib, a treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). The presentation detailed updated clinical data from a Phase 1 study, which demonstrated a favorable safety profile and significant anti-tumor activity in patients with FGF19 overexpression. This population is particularly challenging, as they often have limited treatment options after progressing from first-line therapies. The study enrolled 122 patients, with a notable percentage having received multiple lines of prior therapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The results indicated an overall response rate (ORR) of 44.8% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 79.3% among those pre-treated with both ICI and mTKI therapies. The median duration of response was reported at 7.4 months, with a median progression-free survival of 5.5 months, underscoring the potential of Irpagratinib in this heavily pre-treated cohort. The findings are particularly significant given the lack of approved standard care for HCC patients who have failed first-line ICI therapies. The promising results from the study suggest that Irpagratinib could fill this critical gap in treatment options, especially for patients with FGF19 overexpression, who represent a high unmet medical need. Abbisko's research highlights the importance of targeting the FGFR4 signaling pathway in HCC treatment. The recognition at ESMO 2024 not only validates their research efforts but also paves the way for further late-stage development of Irpagratinib, potentially improving outcomes for patients facing advanced liver cancer.