NeoImmuneTech, Inc. (NIT), presented the broad combination potential of its long-acting IL-7 candidate - NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) (rhIL-7-hyFc) - at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, April 8-13 2022. In the two pre-clinical studies presented as posters, NT-I7, a novel long-acting human IL-7, was evaluated in combination with IL-2 (hIL-2/TCB2c), and in combination with anti-TIGIT or anti-VEGF therapies. NT-I7 has demonstrated in previous studies that it can increase the number of memory T cells with prolonged effect, whereas IL-2 activates the effector T cell for a limited period.

The results of the pre-clinical study showed that the combination of their different mechanisms of action (MoAs) created a heightened anti-tumor response. Additionally, data from the second pre-clinical study showed that NT-I7, in combination with anti-TIGIT or anti-VEGF, enhanced the anti-tumor responses and this effect was further increased when NT-I7 was combined with anti-TIGIT and anti-PD-1 in triple combination. NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) is the only clinical-stage long-acting human IL-7, and is being developed in oncologic and immunologic indications, where T cell amplification and increased functionality may provide clinical benefit.

IL-7 is a fundamental cytokine for naïve and memory T cell development and for sustaining immune response to chronic antigens (as in cancer) or foreign antigens (as in infectious diseases). NT-I7 exhibits favorable PK/PD and safety profiles, making it an ideal combination partner. NT-I7 is being studied in multiple clinical trials in solid tumors and as vaccine adjuvant.

Studies are being planned for testing in hematologic malignancies, additional solid tumors and other immunology-focused indications.