Microbio Co. Reveals Positive Clinical Trial Results for MS-20 Combined with Keytruda in Lung Cancer Treatment

Promising Results for MS-20 and Keytruda in Lung Cancer Treatment

Microbio Co., Ltd. (4128) has made headlines with their newly announced results from an exploratory clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of their innovative postbiotic MS-20 when used in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for patients suffering from stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This promising combination has shown substantial improvements in treatment outcomes, potentially reshaping therapeutic approaches in oncology.

Heartening Clinical Trial Outcomes

In the study, a remarkable increase in the objective response rate (ORR) was observed among patients receiving the MS-20-Keytruda combination, with 75% of participants responding positively. This is a significant leap compared to the 25% response rate found in those treated solely with Keytruda. Furthermore, patients treated with MS-20 exhibited median progression-free survival (PFS) of over 12 months, compared to only 4.5 months for the control group. The trial also noted a complete response (CR) rate of 12.5%, showing that some patients have the potential to achieve even better results with this cutting-edge therapy.

Key Mechanism of Action

MS-20 is designed to serve as a microbiome-based postbiotic aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. Developed by Microbio, this unique formulation works by modulating the gut microbiome, which has been found to play a crucial role in the body's immune response against cancer. Dr. Wan-Jiun Chen, Executive VP of Research and Development at Microbio, emphasized the relevance of these findings, stating, "The results support MS-20's potential to reshape the microbiome and enhance Keytruda's effectiveness in treating advanced NSCLC."

The trial involved 15 patients in total, with 12 included for analysis within the modified intent-to-treat population. Of the eight patients treated with both MS-20 and Keytruda, six demonstrated a positive response. Notably, one patient achieved a complete response that has continued for over 22 months.

Scientific Support and Future Directions

This trial's outcomes are corroborated by preclinical research previously published in Gut Microbes, highlighting how MS-20 enhances immune responses by increasing effector CD8 T cells within the tumor microenvironment. These findings lay the groundwork for Microbio's pursuit of partnerships and further development in microbiome-based cancer immunotherapy.

Microbio Co., Ltd.: Innovators in Microbial Pharmaceuticals

Founded in 2000, Microbio has focused on therapy aimed at immune, oncology, and metabolic diseases. With its proprietary microbial pharmaceutical technology platforms, the company's research encompasses a wide range of anaerobic commensal bacteria metabolites. Their extensive library contains unique formulations that have yielded encouraging results in the treatment of various diseases, placing Microbio at the forefront of next-generation microbiome-based therapeutics.

MS-20: A Revolutionary Therapeutic Approach

Particularly noteworthy is the postbiotic nature of MS-20, generated through Microbio's Symbiota™ fermentation technology, which utilizes multiple strains of probiotics under strict anaerobic conditions. Clinical evidence has confirmed its ability to alleviate chemotherapy side effects while also boosting the efficacy of immunotherapy. In 2024, MS-20 achieved self-affirmed GRAS status in the U.S., making it suitable for incorporation into various food and medical nutrition products.

Microbio will showcase these groundbreaking developments at the upcoming JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, scheduled for January 13-16, 2025. This event represents an opportunity for the company to engage stakeholders interested in its pioneering work.

In conclusion, the results from Microbio's clinical trial signify a transformative advance in the treatment of stage IIIb/IV NSCLC, combining the power of microbiome science with established immunotherapy regimens. As research continues, MS-20 could lead to new standards of care for patients facing challenging cancer diagnoses.