NEW YORK – Creatv Bio said Thursday that it will use its LifeTracDx blood test to assess patients' responses in a Phase II trial of CytoDyn Therapeutics' CCR5-specific monoclonal antibody leronlimab in relapsed or refractory microsatellite stable (MSS) and CCR5-expressing colorectal cancer.
The US Food and Drug Administration recently cleared CytoDyn to begin the Phase II study, in which the firm will assess leronlimab with Genentech's anti-angiogenic agent Avastin (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy. Researchers will use Creatv's LifeTracDx liquid biopsy test in this study and in other trials led by CytoDyn.
LifeTracDx measures the number of cancer-associated cells in a blood sample, including circulating tumor cells, epithelial mesenchymal transition cells, tumor-macrophage hybrid cells, and cancer-associated macrophage-like cells. The test uses a microfilter to remove red blood cells and most white blood cells from a patient's blood sample, leaving the tumor-associated cells behind. These cells are then stained and examined under a microscope.
The test can be administered at different points during treatment to track the level of cancer-associated cells and provide prognostic insights and predict treatment response. For CytoDyn's trials, Creatv will also use the assay to measure the expression of CCR5 and PD-L1 on the tumor.