BriaCell Announces ESMO 2026 Poster Highlighting Circulating Immune Biomarker Associated with Clinical Outcomes in Metastatic Breast Cancer
The pooled analysis covers multiple immunotherapies and includes patients from BriaCell’s earlier Phase 1/2 Bria-IMT study.
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Rhea-AI Summary
BriaCell Therapeutics (BCTX) presented pooled clinical biomarker findings linking post-treatment blood-marker measurements with survival outcomes in metastatic breast cancer.
The prospective analysis included 111 patients from multiple immunotherapy studies, including the earlier Phase 1/2 Bria-IMT study; some patients received Bria-IMT combinations. Researchers measured PD-L1, an immune-related protein, on circulating cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs). At approximately 37 days, CAML PD-L1 was significantly associated with progression-free survival, meaning time without disease progression, but not overall survival. At approximately three months, it was significantly associated with both measures. Baseline CAML PD-L1 and pretreatment tumor PD-L1 scores of 10 or greater showed no significant survival associations. BriaCell says further studies are needed to validate CAML PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker.
Positive
- Minor pointThree-month CAML PD-L1 significantly associated with progression-free survival: HR=2.73; p=0.0028.
- Minor pointThree-month CAML PD-L1 significantly associated with overall survival: HR=2.27; p=0.0420.
- Minor pointCAML PD-L1 approximately 37 days after treatment significantly associated with progression-free survival: HR=1.86; p=0.0276.
Negative
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.CAML PD-L1 remains a potential predictive biomarker requiring further validation, BriaCell says.
- Minor pointCAML PD-L1 approximately 37 days after treatment showed no significant overall-survival association.
- Minor pointBaseline CAML PD-L1 showed no significant association with progression-free or overall survival.
- Minor pointPretreatment tumor PD-L1 combined positive score 10 or greater showed no significant association with improved survival.
Key Figures
- Pooled analysis
- 111 patients
- Metastatic breast cancer patients treated with immunotherapies
- PFS association
- HR=1.86; p=0.0276
- CAML PD-L1 at T1, approximately 37 days after immunotherapy initiation
- OS association
- HR=1.28; p=0.5663
- CAML PD-L1 at T1, approximately 37 days after immunotherapy initiation; not significant
- PFS association
- HR=2.73; p=0.0028
- CAML PD-L1 at T2, approximately three months after immunotherapy initiation
- OS association
- HR=2.27; p=0.0420
- CAML PD-L1 at T2, approximately three months after immunotherapy initiation
Key Terms
pd-l1 medical
progression-free survival medical
overall survival medical
combined positive score medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- Dynamic changes in PD-L1 expression on circulating cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAML) were significantly associated with progression-free survival and overall survival following immunotherapies including the BriaCell regimen
- Findings from a prospective pooled analysis of 111 heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients support further evaluation of circulating CAML PD-L1 as a potential biomarker of clinical benefit from immunotherapies
- Pooled analysis includes patients from multiple studies, including BriaCell’s earlier Phase 1/2 Bria-IMT™ study
PHILADELPHIA and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXL) (TSX: BCT) (“BriaCell” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, today announced the presentation of clinical biomarker findings from a prospective pooled analysis of patients with metastatic breast cancer (“MBC”) treated with immune based therapies including the BriaCell regimen at the European Society for Medical Oncology (“ESMO”) Congress 2026, taking place October 23-27, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. The data shown is pooled from several studies including BriaCell’s Phase 1/2 Bria-IMT study.
The analysis evaluated changes in programmed death-ligand 1 (“PD-L1”) expression on circulating cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (“CAMLs”) before and after initiation of immunotherapy and their association with progression-free survival (“PFS”) and overall survival (“OS”). The findings suggest that changes in CAML PD-L1 following treatment may provide information regarding clinical outcomes that are not captured by a single pretreatment measurement.
“We are encouraged by these findings showing that dynamic changes in a circulating immune biomarker were associated with progression-free and overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with immunotherapies,” stated Dr. William V. Williams, BriaCell’s President and CEO. “These results support further study of CAML PD-L1 as a potential tool for understanding treatment response and identifying patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy, including the Bria-IMT regimen.”
Poster #4506 - Monitoring Circulating Cancer Associated Macrophage-like Cell PD-L1 Predicts Clinical Outcomes in Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
The prospective, multi-institutional pooled analysis included 111 patients with MBC who had received at least one prior line of therapy and were treated with pembrolizumab, retifanlimab, atezolizumab, or nivolumab. Some also received combination therapy with the Bria-IMT regimen. Patients had a median age of 59 years, with a range of 32 to 77 years, and had received a median of two prior metastatic lines of therapy, with a range of one to 13.
Among the 111 patients,
Peripheral blood samples were collected prior to initiation of immunotherapy, approximately 37 days after initiation of immunotherapy (“T1”), and approximately three months after initiation of immunotherapy (“T2”). CAMLs were isolated from blood samples, and PD-L1 expression was categorized as low or high.
Key findings included:
- At baseline, CAML PD-L1 was not significantly associated with either PFS or OS.
- At T1, approximately 37 days following initiation of immunotherapy, CAML PD-L1 was significantly associated with PFS (HR=1.86; p=0.0276), but not OS (HR=1.28; p=0.5663).
- At T2, approximately three months following initiation of immunotherapy, CAML PD-L1 was significantly associated with both PFS (HR=2.73; p=0.0028) and OS (HR=2.27; p=0.0420).
- Pretreatment tumor PD-L1 combined positive score (“CPS”) of 10 or greater was not significantly associated with improved PFS or OS in the pooled population.
“These findings suggest that monitoring dynamic PD-L1 changes in circulating tumor-associated immune cells following initiation of immunotherapy may provide information regarding clinical benefit in patients with MBC and are consistent with findings reported in the Bria-IMT Phase 2 study,” stated Giuseppe Del Priore, MD, MPH, BriaCell’s Chief Medical Officer. “Further studies are needed to validate CAML PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker.”
About BriaCell’s Pivotal Phase 3 Clinical Study of Bria-IMT Combination Regimen in MBC patients
BriaCell’s pivotal Phase 3 study of Bria-IMT plus an immune check point inhibitor (CPI) in metastatic breast cancer is ongoing.
The study’s primary endpoint is overall survival, comparing patients treated with the Bria-IMT combination regimen with patients receiving physician’s choice treatment. The planned interim analysis will be conducted following 144 patient deaths. Positive results from the pivotal Phase 3 study could support a potential application for marketing approval of Bria-IMT in metastatic breast cancer. BriaCell reported positive Phase 2 survival data in a similar MBC patient population treated with the same Bria-IMT combination regimen. The Bria-IMT combination regimen has received FDA Fast Track designation.
For additional information on BriaCell’s pivotal Phase 3 study of Bria-IMT and an immune check point inhibitor in metastatic breast cancer, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06072612.
A copy of the poster presentation is available at https://briacell.com/scientific-publications/.
About BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.
BriaCell is an immuno-oncology-focused biotechnology company developing targeted and effective approaches for the management of cancer. More information is available at https://briacell.com/.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements, including those about the presentation of clinical data at the ESMO Congress 2026, and the contents of all such presentations, the early constructive clinical biomarker data allowing the Company to predict clinical and survival outcomes and guide treatment decisions for metastatic breast cancer patients, and the Company’s anticipated timing of analysis of interim data, are based on BriaCell’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis, under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form, and under “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available under the Company’s profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact Information
Company Contact:
William V. Williams, MD
President & CEO
1-888-485-6340
info@briacell.com
Investor Relations Contact:
investors@briacell.com
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What did BriaCell’s ESMO 2026 biomarker analysis show?
CAML PD-L1 measured approximately three months after immunotherapy initiation was significantly associated with progression-free and overall survival. At approximately 37 days, the association was significant for progression-free survival but not overall survival. BriaCell says further studies are needed to validate the marker’s predictive use.
Did BriaCell’s biomarker analysis study only Bria-IMT patients?
No. The prospective pooled analysis included 111 metastatic breast cancer patients treated with pembrolizumab, retifanlimab, atezolizumab or nivolumab. Some also received combination therapy with the Bria-IMT regimen. Patients had received a median of two prior metastatic lines of therapy, ranging from one to 13.
When is the interim analysis planned for BriaCell’s pivotal Phase 3 Bria-IMT study?
The planned interim analysis will occur following 144 patient deaths. The ongoing study compares overall survival in patients receiving Bria-IMT plus an immune checkpoint inhibitor with patients receiving physician’s choice treatment. Positive results could support a potential application for marketing approval.