Engineered IL-2 + BMS Opdivo fails as IO combo
Bempegaldesleukin (NKTR-214) is an engineered IL-2 cytokine prodrug that provides sustained activation of the IL-2 pathway and is designed to systemically expands anti-tumor CD8+ T cells while inducing Treg depletion in tumor tissue but not in the periphery - has failed to meet the primary endpoints of objective response rate, progression free survival, and overall survival when combined with Bristol Myers Sqibb checkpoint inhibitor Opdivo.
https://www.biospace.com/article/bristol-myers-squibb-nektar-halt-another-round-of-trials-for-bempegaldesleukin-opdivo/
[This event highlights the perils of trying to use an engineered agent to stimulate the natural immune system.}