Pfizer’s Subcutaneous PD-1 Inhibitor Sasanlimab Achieves Significant Efficacy in High-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Pfizer's Sasanlimab Success:
Pfizer's investigational PD-1 inhibitor, sasanlimab, has shown significant efficacy in patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in the Phase III CREST trial13.

Combination Therapy:
Sasanlimab was used in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as induction therapy with or without maintenance, demonstrating a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in event-free survival (EFS) compared to BCG alone13.

First PD-1 Inhibitor for BCG-Naïve NMIBC:
If approved, sasanlimab would be the first PD-1 inhibitor indicated for use in combination with BCG for high-risk NMIBC patients who have not previously undergone BCG treatment13.

Subcutaneous Administration:
Sasanlimab is administered subcutaneously, which could offer a more convenient treatment option compared to intravenous PD-1 inhibitors like Merck's Keytruda3.

Potential Practice-Changing Results:
The findings from the CREST trial represent a significant advance in therapy for BCG-naïve, high-risk NMIBC, an area where therapeutic options have largely remained unchanged for over three decades13.

Sources:

1. https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizers-sasanlimab-combination-bcg-improves-event-free

3. https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/pfizers-subcutaneous-pd-1-blocker-aces-phase-iii-in-bladder-cancer-carves-niche-versus-keytruda