Full Press Release Details
Positive Top-line Response Rate of 30% from R/R Multiple Myeloma Cohort in Ongoing Phase 2 Study of CLR 131
lead product candidate previously demonstrated positive top-line results from the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cohort of this
tumor types is ongoing; Cellectar intends to report additional data this year
N.J., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLRB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of cancer, today announced additional
positive top-line results from its ongoing Phase 2 clinical study of CLR 131, the company's lead product candidate. In the
relapse refractory multiple myeloma cohort, CLR 131 achieved a 30% overall response rate in the first 10 evaluable patients. All
patients reported here were administered one, single 30-minute infusion of 25mCi/m2, which is approximately 25% less drug than
the newly adopted fractionated dose of 15.625mCi/m2 on days 1 and 8. The company previously announced an overall response rate
of 33% in patients with R/R diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) also receiving the single, 25mCi/m2 dose of CLR 131.
myeloma cohort, one patient achieved a very good partial response (a 90% or greater decrease in surrogate marker) and two had partial
responses (a 50% to 89% decrease in surrogate marker) as defined by the International Myeloma Working Group. The patients in this
cohort averaged five lines of systemic therapies prior to treatment with CLR 131. All patients in this cohort demonstrated at least
stable disease. Cellectar continues to dose additional patients at higher fractionated doses, and the company intends to announce
further data from additional cohorts later this year.
encouraged by the 30% response rate and continued positive results in our ongoing Phase 2 study of CLR 131," said James Caruso,
president and CEO of Cellectar. "This represents the second cohort of patients who have demonstrated encouraging responses
to our lead drug candidate while receiving sub-optimal single doses. We look forward to the availability of additional data this
year and will continue to aggressively enroll patients and dose at higher levels that have the potential to generate increased
Natalie Callender, M.D., Associate Professor
of Medicine, Director University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center Myeloma Clinical Program and a lead investigator added, "The
results from this cohort are impressive. Historically, patients receiving 4th line chemotherapy treatment show a 15%
response rate, and patients receiving 5th line chemotherapy show an 8% response rate, whether dosed as mono-therapy
or in combination. The high response rates, combined with a significant reduction in surrogate markers of disease with a single,
one-time infusion of CLR 131, have the potential to make this drug attractive to patients in later lines of therapy. Additionally,
the ability of CLR 131 to achieve a minimum of stable disease in 100% of subjects dosed with minimal hematologic toxicities in
the study to date is meaningful for these late-line patients."
About the Phase 2 Study of CLR
is being conducted in approximately 10 leading cancer centers in the United States in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell
hematologic cancers. The hematologic cancers being studied in the trial include multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small
lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and
potentially diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
endpoint is clinical benefit response (CBR), with additional endpoints of overall response rate (ORR), progression free survival
(PFS), median overall survival (OS) and other markers of efficacy following a single 25.0 mCi/m2 dose of CLR 131,
with the option for a second 25.0 mCi/m2 dose approximately 75-180 days later.
Based on the performance
results from Cohort 5 of our Phase 1 study in patients with relapse or refractory MM, reviewed below, the Company has modified
the dosing regimen of this trial to a fractionated dose of 15.625 mCi/m2 administered on day 1 and day 8.
the CLR 131 infusion(s), MM patients will receive 40 mg oral dexamethasone weekly for up to 12 weeks. Efficacy responses will be
determined by the latest International Multiple Myeloma Working Group criteria. Efficacy for all lymphoma patients will be determined
according to Lugano criteria. Cellectar was awarded approximately $2 million in non-dilutive grant funding from the National Cancer
Institute to help fund the trial. More information about the trial, including eligibility requirements, can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov,
reference NCT02952508.
About Cellectar Biosciences,
Cellectar Biosciences
is focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of cancer. The company plans to develop
proprietary drugs independently and through research and development (R&D) collaborations. The core drug development strategy
is to leverage our PDC platform to develop therapeutics that specifically target treatment to cancer cells. Through R&D collaborations,
the company's strategy is to generate near-term capital, supplement internal resources, gain access to novel molecules or
payloads, accelerate product candidate development and to broaden our proprietary and partnered product pipelines.
lead PDC therapeutic, CLR 131, is in a Phase 1 clinical study in patients with R/R MM and a Phase 2 clinical study in R/R MM and
a range of B-cell malignancies. The company plans to initiate a Phase 1 study with CLR 131 in pediatric solid tumors and lymphoma,
as well as a second Phase 1 study in combination with external beam radiation for head and neck cancer.
product pipeline also includes one preclinical PDC chemotherapeutic program (CLR 1900) and partnered assets including PDCs from
multiple R&D collaborations.
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Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking
statements. You can identify these statements by our use of words such as "may," "expect," "believe,"
"anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate," "continue," "plans," or
their negatives or cognates. These statements are only estimates and predictions and are subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These statements
are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes. Drug discovery and development involve a high degree
of risk. Factors that might cause such a material difference include, among others, uncertainties related to the ability to raise
additional capital, uncertainties related to the disruptions at our sole source supplier of CLR 131, the ability to attract and
retain partners for our technologies, the identification of lead compounds, the successful preclinical development thereof, the
completion of clinical trials, the FDA review process and other government regulation, the volatile market for priority review
vouchers, our pharmaceutical collaborators' ability to successfully develop and commercialize drug candidates, competition from
other pharmaceutical companies, product pricing and third-party reimbursement. A complete description of risks and uncertainties
related to our business is contained in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including our Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018. These forward-looking
statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.