Akeso Inc.’s Promising Phase III Results for Cadonilimab in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer
Hong Kong, March 20, 2025 – Akeso Inc. (9926.HK), a leading biopharmaceutical company, recently presented encouraging phase III safety run-in results from the COMPASSION-18/AK104-305 study at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO). This groundbreaking study focuses on the global first-in-class PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, cadonilimab (AK104), in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for treating locally advanced cervical cancer.
About the COMPASSION-18/AK104-305 Study
The COMPASSION-18/AK104-305 study is a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of cadonilimab in combination with CCRT, compared to CCRT alone, in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The trial enrolled patients with stage IIB-IVA disease, who were not eligible for radical surgery or radiotherapy.
Promising Safety Run-In Results
The safety run-in results showed that cadonilimab in combination with CCRT was generally well-tolerated. No new safety concerns emerged, and the safety profile was consistent with that observed in previous studies of cadonilimab monotherapy. The most common adverse events were fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea.
Impact on Patients
For patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, the potential benefits of combining cadonilimab with CCRT could be significant. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, and locally advanced cervical cancer is often difficult to treat due to its size and location. The addition of cadonilimab to CCRT may help improve treatment outcomes, including reducing the risk of recurrence and improving survival.
- Reduced risk of recurrence: Cadonilimab has shown promising results in previous studies for its ability to enhance the immune system’s response against cancer cells. Combining this with CCRT could help improve the overall effectiveness of the treatment and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Improved survival: By targeting both PD-1 and CTLA-4, cadonilimab may help activate the immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively, leading to improved survival rates.
- Improved quality of life: The combination therapy may help reduce the side effects associated with CCRT alone, such as hair loss, weight loss, and fatigue, leading to an improved quality of life for patients.
Impact on the World
The potential impact of these findings on the world could be substantial. According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with an estimated 570,000 new cases and 311,000 deaths in 2020. The development of effective treatments for locally advanced cervical cancer could help save countless lives and improve the overall health and wellbeing of women around the world.
Conclusion
Akeso Inc.’s phase III safety run-in results from the COMPASSION-18/AK104-305 study demonstrate the promising potential of combining cadonilimab with concurrent chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer. These findings could lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes, including reduced risk of recurrence, improved survival, and improved quality of life. Furthermore, the potential impact on the world could be substantial, with the development of effective treatments for locally advanced cervical cancer having the potential to save countless lives and improve the overall health and wellbeing of women around the world.
