Precision T-cell drug halts progression in 59.3% of refractory tumors

The NIH, Mass General Brigham and Memorial Sloan Kettering reported early results from the first human trial of invika. Rather than activating T cells broadly, the bispecific drug selectively stimulates two populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Among 27 participants treated at the optimal dose across phases 1 and 2, disease did not progress in 16, or 59.3%, and target tumors shrank by more than 30% in four, or 14.8%. Responders included people with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving seventh-line therapy. Flu-like side effects were generally manageable, while non-optimal dose groups showed no significant benefit. The evidence still comes from a small, early trial spanning several tumor types. Stable disease is not a cure, and immune activity does not always become clinical benefit. Larger samples must test durability, cancer-specific effects and combinations with other treatments.