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Mersana Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Data Further Demonstrating Differentiating Aspects of Its ADC Platform Technology at AACR 2018Detailed Characterization of Unique DolaLock Technology Enhancements to Drug Efficacy and Tolerability XMT-1522 Demonstrates Synergy in Combination with a Checkpoint Inhibitor CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRSN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing a pipeline of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) based on its Dolaflexin and other proprietary platforms, today announced new data on Mersana’s lead ADC platform, Dolaflexin, and on the HER2 targeted ADC XMT-1522, presented as part of the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting being held April 14-18 in Chicago, IL. “The data presented in these posters demonstrate the benefits of our differentiated approach to ADCs,” said Timothy B. Lowinger, Chief Scientific Officer, Mersana Therapeutics. “The DolaLock controlled bystander effect represents a unique approach to enhance both efficacy and tolerability. In addition, we are excited about the potential of XMT-1522 to be combined with checkpoint inhibitors to provide significant additional clinical benefit to patients in need.” In a poster presented on Sunday, April 15, “Unique Pharmacologic Properties of Dolaflexin-based ADCs – a Controlled Bystander Effect,” Mersana demonstrated the ability of the DolaLock controlled bystander effect to improve the efficacy and tolerability of ADC therapies. Mersana investigators demonstrated the release and intracellular conversion of auristatin F-hydroxypropylamide (AF-HPA) to auristatin F (AF), as well as biodistribution and tumor retention in vivo. AF-HPA is the initial drug release product, which is freely cell permeable. Intra-tumor metabolism helps convert the AF-HPA to AF, which is non-cell permeable and highly potent. Conversion of AF-HPA to AF was observed within tumor cells, and co-culture assays with HER2-positive and HER2-negative cells confirmed the cell permeability and bystander-killing capabilities of AF-HPA. Biodistribution studies revealed time-dependent concentrations of AF-HPA and AF as well as significant accumulation of AF in xenograft tumor models. A second poster presented on Tuesday, April 17, “Synergy of an anti-HER2 ADC TAK-522 (XMT-1522) in combination with anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a syngeneic brast cancer model expressing human HER2” co-authored by Takeda and Mersana, characterized the ability of both the free payload AF-HPA and the ADC XMT-1522 to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cells. In addition, a novel syngeneic breast cancer (4T1) model expressing human HER2 at a relatively low antigen density was developed. XMT-1522 showed significant inhibition of tumor growth in this poorly immunogenic tumor model. A combination of XMT-1522 and a checkpoint inhibitor further enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy, resulting in complete responses. About XMT-1522 About Dolaflexin About Mersana Therapeutics Media Contact Paul Kidwell Investor Contact |