Key Highlights

  • Preliminary data showed a 75% confirmed overall response rate across 8 evaluable first-line ESCC patients.
  • The response rate rose to 89% following two additional confirmations.
  • PD-L1-positive patients showed a 100% response rate.
  • Findings support the recommended Phase 2 dose selection and expansion cohorts, though the initial cohort size is small.

Early Response Data in First-Line ESCC

Coherus Oncology announced preliminary results for tagmokitug in first-line esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, showing a 75% confirmed overall response rate across 8 evaluable subjects at the data cutoff. The response rate increased to 89% after two additional confirmations were recorded. Among PD-L1-positive patients in the cohort, the confirmed response rate reached 100%, a notable early signal for this biomarker defined subgroup.

Limitations and Next Steps

The company said these results reinforce the recommended Phase 2 dose selection and support planned expansion cohorts that will enroll additional patients. However, Coherus noted that the initial cohort size of 8 evaluable subjects is limited, meaning extended follow-up and confirmation in larger patient populations will be needed to assess the durability of these responses before drawing broader conclusions about tagmokitug's efficacy in this setting. Expansion cohort data, expected in subsequent updates, will be an important next catalyst for the program.

What was the overall response rate for tagmokitug in the trial?

The confirmed overall response rate was 75% across 8 evaluable subjects, rising to 89% after two additional confirmations.

How did PD-L1-positive patients respond to tagmokitug?

PD-L1-positive patients showed a 100% confirmed response rate in this preliminary first-line ESCC cohort.