#United States #Rockville #Hepatocellular Carcinoma #AbelZeta #C-CAR031

AbelZeta's Promising Update on C-CAR031 at ESMO Congress 2026

At the recent ESMO Congress 2026 held in Madrid, Spain, AbelZeta Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm, unveiled significant updates regarding their innovative CAR-T therapy, C-CAR031, now referred to as AZD7003. This therapy is designed specifically to target glypican-3 (GPC3) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a challenging form of liver cancer, showing encouraging progress in clinical trials.

Clinical Study Overview

In this first-in-human Phase I study, 36 patients with advanced HCC, who had a median of four previous systemic therapy lines, were enrolled. The data presented reflects a median follow-up of approximately 14.9 months as of August 15, 2026. The findings showcased a remarkable disease control rate (DCR) of 91.7% across all doses, indicating the potential of C-CAR031/AZD7003 to effectively manage a disease often resistant to traditional therapies.

Key Findings

The updated results indicate that:

• - Disease Control: The confirmed overall response rate was noted at 44.4%, with substantial tumor shrinkage observed.
• - Safety Profile: Most patients experienced mild cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Notably, there were no reported dose-limiting toxicities or severe neurotoxicities tied to the treatment. This favorable safety profile is crucial for patient well-being while undergoing innovative therapies.
• - Overall Survival: At the recommended Phase 2 dose of 2.5x10^6 cells/kg, the DCR was a perfect 100%, with an overall survival rate of 75.6% at the 12-month mark.

These promising results are encouraging for ongoing clinical development, particularly for patients who have exhausted multiple treatment avenues. AbelZeta's CEO, Tony (Bizuo) Liu, stressed the importance of their collaboration with AstraZeneca, which combines cutting-edge CAR-T innovations with AbelZeta's expertise in cell therapy engineering.

What's Next for C-CAR031/AZD7003?

The study, led by experts from The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Schools of Medicine, demonstrates the collaborative efforts to advance this promising treatment. AbelZeta has transitioned the development and commercial rights for C-CAR031 to AstraZeneca in China, ensuring that the therapy's potential can be fully realized globally.

Conclusion

AbelZeta continues to be at the forefront of cutting-edge biopharmaceutical developments, aiming to unlock new therapeutic possibilities for difficult-to-treat cancers like HCC. The journey is far from over, but with pioneering data and continued collaboration, the future holds promise for both the company and the patients they aim to help. As AbelZeta moves forward, the excitement builds around AZD7003 and its potential to impact many lives positively.

Stay tuned as we closely monitor the developments surrounding C-CAR031/AZD7003 and its ongoing trials, remaining hopeful for breakthroughs in cancer treatment that could change the lives of countless patients worldwide.