The Mechanism of Action of BDC1001

Ecaterina E. Ileana Dumbrava, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, provides background information on a phase 1/2 study of the agent alone and in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor in patients with advanced HER2-expressing solid tumors.

The study marks the first-in-human trial of BDC-1001 in advanced HER2-expressing solid tumors. Results of the ongoing study were presented at the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).

According to Dumbrava, BDC-1001 is a novel HER2-targeting TLR78 Immune stimulating antibody conjugate. It consists of an investigational biosimilar of trastuzumab (Herceptin) conjugated to an TLR78 agonist. The study found that BDC-1001 can initiate a new immune response. This is significant since despite recent advancements in HER2-positive breast cancer treatment, a significant need to improve patient outcomes still exists. 

In preclinical models of trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer strains, BDC-1001 provoked a deep and durable reaction. According to Dumbrava, complete tumor regression was seen in aTLR7 and FC receptor-dependent manor. Dumbrava hopes that a complete, localized and durable response can be achieved with the treatment.