KIMMTRAK doubles the likelihood of being alive at five years for first line HLA-A*02:01+ patients with metastatic uveal melanoma
OS benefit observed across key subgroups, including patients with high tumor burden, elevated LDH, and extrahepatic disease as well as those with best response of progressive disease
This is the longest OS follow-up in a randomized trial in metastatic uveal melanoma and for any T cell engager in a solid tumor
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This is the longest, prospective Phase 3 randomized trial in patients with unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) – a disease with a very poor prognosis and a historical survival rate of <5% at 5 years1. KIMMTRAK doubled the likelihood of being alive at five years, with an OS for KIMMTRAK of 16% versus 8% in the control arm (hazard ratio [HR] of 0.67 [95% CI: 0.54-0.85]). These results also represent the longest follow-up reported for any T cell engager in a solid tumor.
In the trial, 378 patients were randomized to tebentafusp (252) or investigator’s choice (126; 82% pembrolizumab). The median OS was 21.6 months on KIMMTRAK, versus 16.9 months on investigator’s choice (IC). The Kaplan–Meier survival curves separated early and remained separated over time, confirming the durability of the benefit with extended follow-up.
“These important results allow us, for the first time, to speak with real confidence to patients about the possibility of long-term survival,” said Professor
“These long-term overall survival results further solidify KIMMTRAK as the first-line standard of care for HLA-A*02:01 positive patients with metastatic uveal melanoma,” said
The data confirmed that the OS benefit was primarily driven by tebentafusp rather than subsequent therapies. Among patients treated with KIMMTRAK who were alive at five years, nearly half (44%) received only KIMMTRAK, while among patients in the control arm alive at the same time point, 86% subsequently received tebentafusp.
Importantly, the OS benefit with KIMMTRAK was observed regardless of known poor prognostic factors at baseline (high tumor burden [=10cm]; elevated lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) or tumor location (hepatic only; hepatic and extra-hepatic). OS benefit was also observed in patients with a best response of progressive disease, including those with >20% tumor growth as best change on treatment.
More patients continued treatment beyond progression in the KIMMTRAK arm than in the control arm (57% vs 25%) – with the trial allowing this option in both arms. Patients on KIMMTRAK achieved nearly a 7-fold higher rate of tumor reduction with treatment beyond initial progression compared to IC patients (27% vs 4%). In fact, patients who continued tebentafusp treatment beyond tumor progression experienced longer post-progression survival compared to those who stopped treatment, even after accounting for variations in patient characteristics.
In tebentafusp-treated patients, longer OS was associated with undetectable ctDNA at baseline or ctDNA reductions =50% by week 9. Among 21 ctDNA-evaluable patients who survived = 5 years, 71% had undetectable baseline ctDNA and 29% had ctDNA clearance by week 9. Deep reductions in ctDNA were seen across all RECIST categories. Early ctDNA molecular response continues to be a more sensitive marker of tebentafusp activity than radiographic measurements.
The data were presented today in an oral session during the AACR 2026 meeting:
Title: Five-year survival with tebentafusp in previously untreated metastatic uveal melanoma in a Phase 3 trial (CT029)
Presenting author:
Session: Advanced Cellular and Immune-Based Therapeutics
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About ImmTAC® molecules for cancer
Immunocore’s proprietary T cell receptor (TCR) technology generates a novel class of bispecific biologics called ImmTAC (Immune mobilizing monoclonal TCRs Against Cancer) molecules that are designed to redirect the immune system to recognize and kill cancerous cells. ImmTAC molecules are soluble TCRs engineered to recognize intracellular cancer antigens with ultra-high affinity and selectively kill these cancer cells via an anti-CD3 immune-activating effector function. Based on the demonstrated mechanism of T cell infiltration into human tumors, the ImmTAC mechanism of action holds the potential to treat hematologic and solid tumors, regardless of mutational burden or immune infiltration, including immune “cold” low mutation rate tumors.
About Uveal Melanoma
Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of melanoma, which affects the eye. This is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults and up to 50% of people with uveal melanoma will eventually develop metastatic disease. Unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma typically has a poor prognosis and had no approved treatment until KIMMTRAK.
About KIMMTRAK®
KIMMTRAK is a novel bispecific protein comprised of a soluble T cell receptor fused to an anti-CD3 immune-effector function. KIMMTRAK specifically targets gp100, a lineage antigen expressed in melanocytes and melanoma. This is the first molecule developed using Immunocore’s ImmTAC technology platform, designed to redirect and activate T cells to recognize and kill tumor cells. KIMMTRAK has been approved for the treatment of HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma in
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be serious or life-threatening, occurred in patients receiving KIMMTRAK. Monitor for at least 16 hours following first three infusions and then as clinically indicated. Manifestations of CRS may include fever, hypotension, hypoxia, chills, nausea, vomiting, rash, elevated transaminases, fatigue, and headache. CRS occurred in 89% of patients who received KIMMTRAK, with 0.8% being grade 3 or 4. Ensure immediate access to medications and resuscitative equipment to manage CRS. Ensure patients are euvolemic prior to initiating the infusions. Closely monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS following infusions of KIMMTRAK. Monitor fluid status, vital signs, and oxygenation level and provide appropriate therapy. Withhold or discontinue KIMMTRAK depending on persistence and severity of CRS.
Skin Reactions
Skin reactions, including rash, pruritus, and cutaneous edema occurred in 91% of patients treated with KIMMTRAK. Monitor patients for skin reactions. If skin reactions occur, treat with antihistamine and topical or systemic steroids based on persistence and severity of symptoms. Withhold or permanently discontinue KIMMTRAK depending on the severity of skin reactions.
Elevated Liver Enzymes
Elevations in liver enzymes occurred in 65% of patients treated with KIMMTRAK. Monitor alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total blood bilirubin prior to the start of and during treatment with KIMMTRAK. Withhold KIMMTRAK according to severity.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
KIMMTRAK may cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant patients of potential risk to the fetus and patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with KIMMTRAK and 1 week after the last dose.
The most common adverse reactions (=30%) in patients who received KIMMTRAK were cytokine release syndrome, rash, pyrexia, pruritus, fatigue, nausea, chills, abdominal pain, edema, hypotension, dry skin, headache, and vomiting. The most common (=50%) laboratory abnormalities were decreased lymphocyte count, increased creatinine, increased glucose, increased AST, increased ALT, decreased hemoglobin, and decreased phosphate.
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Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may”, “will”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “continue”, “target” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s strategic priorities for 2026, including the Company’s ability to grow its commercial franchise with new melanoma indications, to reach more patients and to deliver on KIMMTRAK’s lifecycle management program; the Company’s ability to expand beyond melanoma into other tumor types and to realize growth opportunities beyond oncology; the potential of the Company’s melanoma franchise; the Company’s ability to advance its clinical pipeline; expectations regarding sales growth; expectations regarding the design, progress, timing, enrollment, randomization, scope, expansion, and results of the Company’s and its collaborators’ existing and planned clinical trials; the timing and sufficiency of clinical trial outcomes to support potential approval of any of the Company’s product candidates or those of, or combined with, its collaboration partners; the Company’s ability to leverage its expertise and dataset to inform clinical development; the expected submission of clinical trial applications or investigational new drug applications; the potential regulatory approval, expected clinical benefits and availability of the Company’s product candidates; and the Company’s preliminary unaudited cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of
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1 Rantala ES et al. Overall survival after treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Melanoma Res. 2019 Dec;29(6):561-568. doi: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000575.
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