What's Happening?
Antengene Corporation Limited has announced the latest results from its ongoing Phase I/II CLINCH study of ATG-022, a CLDN18.2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), at the ESMO 2025 conference. The study focuses
on patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. The data presented shows that ATG-022 demonstrates significant efficacy across various levels of CLDN18.2 expression. In the study, patients with moderate to high CLDN18.2 expression treated with a 2.4 mg/kg dose achieved a 40% overall response rate (ORR) and a 90% disease control rate (DCR). The safety profile was also favorable, with manageable treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). These findings support further clinical investigation of ATG-022, particularly in combination with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Why It's Important?
The results from the CLINCH study are significant as they suggest that ATG-022 could become a viable treatment option for patients with gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers, which are often difficult to treat. The promising efficacy and safety profile of ATG-022 could lead to its use in first-line treatment settings, potentially improving outcomes for patients with these cancers. The study's findings also open the door for further research into the drug's application in other non-gastrointestinal tumor types, which could expand its clinical and commercial potential. This development is crucial for the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare providers as it may lead to new treatment protocols and improved patient care.
What's Next?
Antengene plans to continue the clinical investigation of ATG-022, focusing on its use in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The company aims to expand the drug's clinical reach and commercial potential by exploring its efficacy in other tumor types. Future conferences are expected to provide additional data on ATG-022's performance in non-gastrointestinal cancers. These steps are likely to influence treatment strategies and could lead to regulatory approvals, impacting the pharmaceutical market and patient treatment options.