ASCO 2023 | Investigating the synergy between Clostridium novyi with pembrolizumab in solid tumors

Blessie Elizabeth Nelson, MBBS, DMRT, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses the ongoing study investigating what the synergy between the potential efficacy of Clostridium novyi with pembrolizumab. C. novyi has been found to have an affinity for hypoxic regions within a tumor where it causes lysis, apoptosis, and cell death. Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, HPV-positive squamous cell carcinoma, melanomas and chordomas showed durable response rates. For safety reasons, only accessible, superficial lesions that were either manually palpable or radiologically accessible. The best response rate was found in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Additionally, a patient with mucosal melanoma had a complete response. Subsequent therapy with pembrolizumab following a single dose of C. novyi allowed for an expansion of durable response transitionally. In terms of safety, only grade 1 or 2 events were noted. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2023 Annual Congress in Chicago, IL.

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