Swedish biotechnology company Active Biotech AB (STO:ACTI) on Monday provided an update on its clinical phase Ib/IIa study of tasquinimod in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients.

The study is ongoing at the Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania. Data from 11 patients treated with tasquinimod in combination with ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRd) shows no unexpected toxicity and good tolerability.

Three patients demonstrated clinical benefit, including one partial response and two minimal responses, among nine patients refractory to prior proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulatory drug regimens. The study aims to enrol up to six additional patients refractory to their most recent proteasome inhibitor/immunomodulatory drug combination.

Principal investigator Dr Dan Vogl highlighted the clinically meaningful disease responses in highly refractory patients, suggesting tasquinimod's potential to overcome treatment resistance and improve myeloma therapies.