Multi-Antigen Targeted T Cells Yield Promising Efficacy in PDAC Population

Encouraging clinical activity was noted with multi-antigen targeted T cells in patients with pancreatic cancer, according to results from a phase 1/2 study (NCT03192462) conducted at Baylor College of Medicine and published in Nature Medicine.^1,2

Arm A of the study combined multi-antigen targeted T cells with frontline chemotherapy. After at least 1 infusion, the complete response rate was 7.7%, and the partial response rate was 15.4%. Stable disease occurred in 61.5% of patients, and progressive disease in 15.4%. The disease control rate was 84.6% (95% CI, 54.6%-98.1%). The overall response rate was 23.1% (95% CI, 5.0%-53.8%).

For the 3 patients who achieved a response, they had stable disease before study entry. For patients who achieved a partial or complete response, the median duration of response was 7.5 months, the median overall survival was 14.1 months (95% CI, 3.6-15.4), and the median event-free survival was 6.4 months (95% CI, 2.4-9.5).

Investigators noted there was a benefit of multi-antigen targeted T cells over standard chemotherapy.

“We congratulate the research team at Baylor College of Medicine on this outstanding work and encouraging results in patients with pancreatic cancer,” Juan Vera, MD, president and chief executive officer of Marker Therapeutics, said in the press release.¹ “The data highlight the excellent safety profile of multi-antigen targeted T cells and demonstrate that they can be used in combination with frontline chemotherapy. We believe that this clinical proof-of-concept study emphasizes the potential of multi-antigen targeted T cells in pancreatic cancer and sets the stage for continued development toward addressing a critical unmet need.”

A total of 56 patients with biopsy-proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were enrolled and underwent procurement between January 31, 2018, and December 19, 2019. In all but 1 case, multi-antigen T-cell manufacturing was successful, and 18 were not infused due to the inability to schedule (n = 1), change in eligibility (n = 2), and death from progressive disease (n = 15). Thirty-seven patients were infused and enrolled into one of the 3 study arms. Those in arm A had stage III (n = 2) or IV (n = 11) disease and were either stable or responding to at least 3 months of chemotherapy.

Across the 3 treatment arms, 64.9% of patients experienced an adverse effect (AE), which were attributed to the infusions. There was 1 that was classified as a treatment-related serious AE, a grade 3 lipase elevation, which occurred 3 days after the fifth T-cell infusion in patient number 11.

In August 2025, developers shared updated data from the phase 1 APOLLO study (NCT05798897) assessing the multi-antigen recognizing T-cell antigen, MT-601, for patients with lymphoma who have relapsed after anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, or for those in which CAR T-cell therapy is not an option.³ The press release noted a 66% objective response rate in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 50% had a complete response. The safety profile was also favorable.

“We are very excited and encouraged by the progress of the study,” said Vera, in a press release on APOLLO findings.³ “The safety and preliminary efficacy data from our phase 1 APOLLO study underscore the potential of MT-601 in heavily pretreated patients with lymphoma, who have relapsed after multiple lines of therapy, including CAR T cells and bispecific antibodies. While CAR T cells have gained acceptance in the treatment of lymphoma, with approximately 8000 patients treated globally in 2024, 40% to 60% of such patients have disease progression within the first year of treatment. We believe that MT-601 could address this critical unmet need and offer new hope to patients who have exhausted multiple lines of treatment, including CAR T-cell therapy.”

References

1. Baylor College of Medicine publishes promising safety and efficacy results of multi-antigen targeted T cells in patients with pancreatic cancer. News release. Marker Therapeutics. January 5, 2026. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/5n93s3j6
2. Musher BL, Vasileiou S, Smaglo BG, et al. Autologous multiantigen-targeted T cell therapy for pancreatic cancer: a phase 1/2 trial. Nat Med. Published online January 2, 2026. doi:10.1038/s41591-025-04043-5
3. Marker Therapeutics provides update on phase 1 APOLLO study highlighting encouraging overall response rates in relapsed lymphoma. News release. Marker Therapeutics. August 26, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/4av8jx3u