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NCT Number: NCT05081609

A Study to Investigate Safety and Tolerability of TransCon IL-2 β/γ Alone or in Combination With Pembrolizumab and/or TransCon TLR7/8 Agonist or Other Anticancer Therapies in Adult Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumor Malignancies

TransCon IL-2 β/γ is an investigational drug being developed for treatment of locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. This is a first-in-human, open-label, Phase 1/2, dose escalation and dose expansion study of TransCon IL-2 β/γ as monotherapy or in combination therapy in adult participants with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Given the unique PK profile enabled by the TransCon technology, TransCon IL-2 β/γ presents the opportunity to enhance the therapeutic index of current IL-2 therapy.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

About this study

IL-2 is a key cytokine that directs the immune system through pleiotropic effects mediated by promoting expansion of both cytotoxic effector cells and Tregs. TransCon IL-2 β/γ is designed as a long-acting delivery prodrug of IL-2 β/γ, a potent cytokine signaling molecule, with the potential to improve the safety and efficacy of IL-2.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Key Inclusion Criteria:

  • At least 18 years of age, or country defined local legal age
  • Demonstrated adequate organ function at screening
  • Life expectancy >12 weeks as determined by the Investigator
  • Female and male participants of childbearing potential who are sexually active must agree to use highly effective methods of contraception
  • Participants must have histologically confirmed locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic solid tumor malignancies that cannot be treated with curative intent (surgery or radiotherapy), with the exception of the neoadjuvant cohorts
  • Part 1 and Part 2: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0, 1, or 2
  • Part 3 and Part 4: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1
  • Participants who have undergone treatment with anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA-4) antibody must have a washout of at least 4 weeks from the last dose and evidence of disease progression per investigator assessment before Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1) with the exception of the neoadjuvant cohorts
  • Participants who have previously received an immunotherapy prior to C1D1 must have any immune-related toxicities resolved to ≤Grade 1 or baseline (prior to the immunotherapy) to be eligible, with the exception of participants on well controlled physiologic endocrine replacement
  • Part 3: Neoadjuvant cohorts: participants must have completely resectable disease

Key Exclusion Criteria:

  • Symptomatic central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis
  • Active autoimmune diseases, regardless of need for immunosuppressive treatment, with the exception of participants well controlled on physiologic endocrine replacement
  • Any uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, viral, or other infection
  • Significant cardiac disease
  • A marked clinically significant baseline prolongation of QT/QTc interval (e.g., repeated demonstration of a QTc interval >480 ms) [CTCAE Grade 1]) using Fridericia's QT correction formula
  • Positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or has known active hepatitis B or C infection
  • Known hypersensitivity to any study treatment(s) used in the specific study part/cohort
  • Participants who have been previously treated with IL-2 or IL-2 variants (all participants)
  • Systemic immunosuppressive treatment with the exception for patients on corticosteroid taper (for example, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation).
  • Vaccination with live, attenuated vaccines within 4 weeks of C1D1
  • Treatment with any other anti-cancer systemic treatment (approved or investigational) or radiation therapy within 4 weeks of C1D1
  • Part 3: Other active malignancies within the last 2 years
  • Women who are breastfeeding or have a positive serum pregnancy test during screening

Treatment and study plan

TransCon IL-2 β/γ

Drug

TransCon IL-2 β/γ will be administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion

Pembrolizumab

Drug

Pembrolizumab will be administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion

Chemotherapy drug

Drug

SOC chemotherapy will be administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion

TransCon TLR7/8 Agonist

Drug

TransCon TLR7/8 Agonist will be administered as an IT (Intratumoral) injection

Surgery

Procedure

Surgery will take place 4-6 weeks after last dose of study treatment.

Trastuzumab

Drug

Trastuzumab will be administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion

Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1)

Drug

Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) will be administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion

Primary outcomes

  1. Safety and Tolerability

    Time frame: Through study completion, expected average of 2 years

    Treatment emergent and treatment related adverse events (assessed by NCI CTCAE v5.0), serious adverse events (SAEs), adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation, deaths.

  2. Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD)

    Time frame: Each cycle is 21 days

    Determine the maximum tolerated dose by assessing the Incidence of Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLTs), treatment emergent and treatment related adverse events (assessed by NCI CTCAE v5.0), serious adverse events (SAEs), adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation and deaths.

  3. Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D)

    Time frame: 12 months

    To determine a recommended phase 2 dose of TransCon IL-2 β/γ and combination regimen for further development by evaluating number of patients with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Overall Response Rate

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Response assessed by RECIST v1.1

  2. Pathologic Complete Response

    Time frame: 15 weeks

    Evaluate the pathologic Complete Response (pCR) for anti-tumor activity of TransCon IL-2 β/γ alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, or TransCon TLR7/8 Agonist, or in combination with pembrolizumab and SOC chemotherapy in the Neoadjuvant Cohorts

  3. Major Pathologic Response

    Time frame: 15 weeks

    Evaluate the Major Pathologic Response (MPR) for anti-tumor activity of TransCon IL-2 β/γ alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, or TransCon TLR7/8 Agonist, or in combination with pembrolizumab and SOC chemotherapy in the Neoadjuvant Cohorts

  4. Duration of Response

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Time from first documentation of objective tumor response (CR or PR that is subsequently confirmed) to first documentation of disease progression or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first

  5. Time to Response

    Time frame: Expected up to 1 year from first dose

    Time from date of first dose of study treatment to first occurrence of response (CR or PR)

  6. Progression Free Survival (PFS)

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Time from date of first dose of study treatment to first documentation of disease progression or death due to any cause

  7. Event free survival (EFS) by RECIST 1.1

    Time frame: 2 years

    Time from the date of the first dose of study treatment to the occurrence of any of the following: progression of disease that precludes surgery, disease recurrence after surgery, or death from any cause.

  8. Overall Survival (OS)

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Time from date of first dose of study treatment to date of death due to any cause

  9. PK Characterization (Cmax)

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Maximum observed plasma concentration of TransCon IL-2 β/γ and Free IL-2 β/γ after IV administration of TransCon IL-2 β/γ alone or in combination with other therapies

  10. PK Characterization (Tmax)

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Time to reach maximum plasma concentration of TransCon IL-2 β/γ and Free IL-2 β/γ after IV administration of TransCon IL-2 β/γ alone or in combination other therapies

  11. PK Characterization (AUClast)

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Area under the plasma concentration curve from time zero to last sampling time at which the concentration is at or above the lower limit of quantification for TransCon IL-2 β/γ and Free IL-2 β/γ after IV administration of TransCon IL-2 β/γ alone or in combination with other therapies

  12. PK Characterization (AUC0-t)

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Area under the plasma concentration curve from time zero to time t for TransCon IL-2 β/γ and Free IL-2 β/γ after IV administration of TransCon IL-2 β/γ alone or in combination with other therapies

  13. PK Characterization (t1/2)

    Time frame: Average of 2 years

    Apparent terminal half-life of TransCon IL-2 β/γ and Free IL-2 β/γ after IV administration of TransCon IL-2 β/γ alone or in combination with other therapies

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ascendis Pharma Oncology Division A/S

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

IL Believe: A Phase 1/2, Open-label, Dose Escalation and Dose Expansion Study to Investigate the Safety and Tolerability of TransCon IL-2 β/γ Alone or in Combination With Pembrolizumab, TransCon TLR7/8 Agonist, or Other Anticancer Therapies, in Adult Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumor Malignancies

Acronym: IL Believe

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2029
First posted
Oct 18, 2021
Registry last updated
Feb 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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