Portage Biotech Reports Confirmatory Preclinical Results
Portage Biotech Reports Confirmatory Preclinical Results in Mesothelioma Supporting First-In-Human Trial of PORT-7
Portage Biotech has reported positive preclinical efficacy data for PORT-7, their selective adenosine A2B receptor inhibitor, in mesothelioma treatment. The data will be presented at the AACR Annual Meeting on April 28, 2025, in Chicago.
Key findings from the murine mesothelioma model showed that PORT-7 demonstrated superior single-agent activity compared to anti-PD1 antibody treatment. The combination of PORT-7 and anti-PD1 proved more effective than either treatment alone, showing formation of tertiary lymphoid structures and increased immune effector cells.
The company is preparing to initiate a first-in-human clinical trial with PORT-7. Additionally, Portage is advancing the dose escalation of PORT-6, their A2A adenosine receptor inhibitor, with plans to co-administer both drugs in the ongoing ADPORT-601 trial, marking the first combination of selective A2A and A2B antagonists in patients.
Dr. Luciano Mutti of the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology at the University of L'Aquila, Italy, an internationally recognized expert in mesothelioma, will be presenting the data at the American Association for Cancer Research® (AACR) Annual Meeting at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois on April 28, 2025.
The new data in a murine mesothelioma model demonstrated single agent activity for PORT-7 that was superior to treatment with single agent anti-PD1 antibody. Moreover, the combination of PORT-7 and anti-PD1 was superior to treatment with either anti-PD1 or PORT-7 alone. Immunohistochemistry of the tumors revealed the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures in the mice receiving the combination. This indication of a favorable immune response was accompanied by increases in immune effector cells in mice treated with the combination. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options in need of novel approaches to overcome immune resistance. Portage is making preparations to commence a first-in-human clinical trial with PORT-7.
In parallel, Portage is advancing the dose escalation of PORT-6, a potent and selective inhibitor of the A2A adenosine receptor. Portage’s plan is to ultimately co-administer PORT-6 with PORT-7 in the ongoing ADPORT-601 trial. This will mark the first time two highly selective A2A and A2B antagonists are combined in patients, with the aim of achieving a complete blockade of adenosine-induced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. This innovative approach is designed to fully neutralize adenosine-mediated immune suppression, enhance anti-tumor responses, and broaden the impact of immunotherapy in solid tumors.
