A new class of cancer drugs, dubbed 2141-V11, has shown promising results in a Phase I clinical trial. The enhanced CD40 agonist antibody, engineered to improve efficacy and limit side effects, was administered directly into tumors, resulting in significant tumor shrinkage and even complete remission in six out of 12 patients.
According to the study’s authors, the drug works by stimulating an immune response that targets cancer cells, promoting antitumor immunity and developing tumor-specific T cell responses. The addition of a specific Fc receptor enhanced its potency, allowing it to induce a systemic response without causing severe side effects.
The trial included patients with various types of metastatic cancer, including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer. Notably, two patients with aggressive and recurring cancers experienced complete remission after receiving the drug. Tissue samples revealed the formation of immune aggregates resembling lymph nodes within the tumors, indicating an effective immune response.
The findings have sparked multiple clinical trials investigating 2141-V11’s effect on specific cancers, including bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and glioblastoma. These studies aim to understand why some patients respond to the drug and others do not, with a focus on identifying predictors of response and developing strategies to improve outcomes.
This breakthrough offers new hope for cancer treatment, particularly for aggressive and hard-to-treat types of cancer. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying 2141-V11’s efficacy and to translate these findings into improved patient care.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-cancer-drug-aggressive-cancers-phase.html