Affini-T Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Data from its Oncogenic Driver Program Targeting KRAS at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2023

Affini-T Therapeutics and Christopher A. Klebanoff, M.D., recently appointed Scientific Co-founder and Advisor for Affini-T Therapeutics, to present on KRAS G12D specific T cell receptors

BOSTON & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Affini-T Therapeutics, Inc., a precision immunotherapy company unlocking the power of T cells against oncogenic driver mutations, today announced that Loïc Vincent, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Christopher A. Klebanoff, M.D., physician-scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), who also serves as Scientific Co-founder and Advisor, Affini-T Therapeutics, are presenting data from the company’s T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapy program targeting KRAS G12D mutations, at this year’s American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2023 in Orlando.

“At Affini-T, we are targeting oncogenic drivers utilizing TCR-engineered T cells equipped with new synthetic biology elements capable of addressing some of the major obstacles in treating solid tumors, including T cell exhaustion and functional durability,” said Loïc Vincent, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Affini-T Therapeutics. “Similar to our previously reported KRAS G12V data, our new preclinical data show a promising activity and tolerability profile in targeting KRAS G12D mutation that supports our mission to eradicate difficult to treat solid tumors with precision immunotherapies. Leveraging our platforms, TAILOR^TM, TUNE^TM and THRIVE^TM, we look forward to working with Dr. Klebanoff to progress our programs for patients with solid tumor cancers, including lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancer.”

Oral presentation details are as follows:

Preclinical development of safe and effective T cell receptors specific for mutant KRAS G12D peptide

• Abstract #1127, Session MS.CL07.01 – Immunotherapy
• Session Date/Time: April 16, 3:52 pm - 4:07 pm ET
• Presenting Author: Loïc Vincent, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Affini-T Therapeutics
• Summary: T cell receptors (TCRs) directed against KRAS G12D mutant peptide/HLA-A*11:01 complex were isolated and prioritized based on specificity, functional avidity, and cytotoxicity, and were subsequently engineered into primary CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The in vitro and in vivo preclinical data demonstrate a promising activity and tolerability profile of the KRAS G12D mutant TCR-engineered CD4+ and CD8+ T cell therapy. The study supports the planned clinical development of this novel KRAS G12D mutant TCR-engineered CD4+ and CD8+ T cell therapy for treating patients with KRAS G12D mutant / HLA-A*11:01 cancers.

Oral presentation details are as follows:

Immunogenicity and therapeutic targeting of recurrently mutated ‘public’ neoantigens

• Session SY18 – Dharma Master Jiantai Symposium in Targeted Therapy: Cellular Therapies for Cancer
• Session Date/Time: April 18, 12:35 pm-12:55 pm ET
• Presenting Author: Christopher A. Klebanoff, M.D., Associate Member and Attending Physician, Laboratory Head, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, and Member Investigator, Center for Cell Engineering at MSK; and Scientific Co-founder and Advisor, Affini-T Therapeutics
• Summary: This study reports key data regarding expression of the mutant and wild type KRAS peptides by transformed and normal cells, and the discovery and characterization of a panel of patient-derived TCRs directed against the KRAS G12D mutant peptide/HLA-A*11:01 complex in vitro and in vivo.

“The findings we are presenting at AACR 2023 are the result of outstanding scientific collaboration focused on using innovation to overcome bottlenecks that previously limited progress in the field,” said Dr. Klebanoff. “I am hopeful that in future years we will see further advances resulting from our research lead to new mutation-specific TCR immunotherapies for patients with cancers that currently lack curative treatments.”

About Affini-T Therapeutics

Affini-T is a leading precision immunotherapy company targeting core oncogenic driver mutations to develop potentially curative therapies for patients with solid tumors. Our differentiated cell therapy platforms harness state-of-the-art engineering, synthetic biology, and gene editing capabilities to target even the most devastating cancer-driving mutations, beginning with KRAS. We leverage these tools to optimize T cell functions and rewrite the rules of the solid tumor microenvironment, enabling the potential for sustained clinical outcomes in patients. Building on the world-class innovation inherent in our leadership team, founders and technologies, we are powered to develop transformational medicines that last. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Dr. Klebanoff has financial interests related to Affini-T. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) has institutional financial interests related to Affini-T.