MAIA Biotechnology Reports Promising Interim Results for THIO in Advanced Lung Cancer Treatment

MAIA Biotechnology Inc. (NYSE: MAIA) has announced encouraging interim results from its phase 2 clinical trial of THIO, a novel therapy targeting advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study, known as THIO-101, is evaluating THIO in combination with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s immune checkpoint inhibitor cemiplimab (Libtayo®) in patients who have failed two or more standard treatment regimens.

NSCLC accounts for 81% of lung cancer diagnoses in the United States, with a five-year survival rate of only 28%. The interim data from THIO-101 suggests that THIO may offer improved survival benefits for patients with limited treatment options. As of August, 16 patients in the trial had survival follow-ups exceeding 12 months, including 9 patients in their third line of treatment. The interim median survival follow-up for third-line patients was 10.6 months, with three of the earliest enrolled patients approaching 17-month survival benefits.

Dr. Vlad Vitoc, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MAIA, expressed optimism about the results, stating, "THIO is showing a survival benefit for patients with advanced NSCLC. We're on track to achieve our survival goals in third-line therapy." He added that THIO's performance to date supports the company's hypothesis that their telomere targeting agent could become a viable treatment option for advanced NSCLC patients.

THIO's mechanism of action focuses on targeting telomeres, which play a crucial role in cancer cell survival and proliferation. Telomerase, an enzyme responsible for maintaining telomeres, is present in nearly all cancers, allowing cancer cells to divide and spread indefinitely. More than 80% of NSCLC tumors express telomerase, making it a promising target for therapy. THIO works by inducing telomerase-dependent telomeric DNA modification, triggering DNA damage responses and selective cancer cell death.

The 12-month survival data aligns with MAIA's previously reported efficacy data from THIO-101. In June, the company presented results at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024 Annual Meeting, showing a favorable overall response rate (ORR) of 38%, a disease control rate (DCR) of 85%, and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.5 months for THIO combined with cemiplimab in third-line treatment.

These interim results are particularly significant given the limited treatment options available for patients with advanced NSCLC who have progressed after multiple lines of therapy. If THIO continues to demonstrate efficacy in the ongoing trial, it could potentially offer a new treatment avenue for this challenging patient population.

MAIA Biotechnology's ambitions for THIO extend beyond NSCLC. The company plans to explore its potential in treating other forms of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and malignant gliomas. THIO has already received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA for these indications, highlighting its potential to address unmet medical needs in multiple cancer types.

As the global cancer treatment market is projected to reach $521 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.9% from 2023 to 2033, innovative therapies like THIO could play a significant role in shaping the future of oncology treatment. The final efficacy data from THIO-101, expected in the second half of this year, will be crucial in determining the therapy's potential impact on patient care and its place in the evolving landscape of cancer treatment.