Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is a cell surface receptor that interacts with 2 ligands, programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death ligand-2 (PD-L2), to deliver inhibitory signals to T cells, limiting their function.1
T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) is expressed on the surface of T cells and natural killer cells, and participates in a complex regulatory network involving multiple co-inhibitory receptors—CD96 and CD112R—and one competing co-stimulatory receptor, CD226 (DNAM-1). TIGIT binds to several ligands, including CD155 (PVR), CD111, CD112, CD113, and CD114 (Nectin-4), which are expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and are often upregulated on cancer cells. TIGIT binds with high affinity to CD155 and outcompetes the co-stimulatory receptor CD226. Similar to PD-1, TIGIT ligation delivers inhibitory signals to T cells, limiting their function.2
Within the preclinical setting, TIGIT and PD-1 dual blockade enhances CD8 T-cell activation and cytotoxicity against tumor cells beyond anti-PD(L)1 therapy.3
Rilvegostomig (formerly AZD2936) is an investigational monovalent humanized dual-checkpoint bispecific IgG1 antibody with high affinity to PD-1 and TIGIT receptors. It is designed to deliver simultaneous and coordinated PD-1 and TIGIT blockade on the same immune effector cell. Rilvegostomig was engineered with a triple-mutation in its fragment crystallizable (Fc)-domain to minimize unwanted NK/macrophage-mediated depletion of PD1 or TIGIT-expressing effector cells.
Rilvegostomig’s bispecific format, allowing a coordinated dual checkpoint blockade, is anticipated to improve antitumor response by reinvigorating the activity of tumor-reactive immune effector cells. This simultaneous engagement of PD1 and TIGIT is expected to elicit greater immune activation than inhibiting either pathway alone.4-9
Rilvegostomig has the potential to become a next-generation IO backbone for combinations with other T cell-targeting agents, antibody-drug conjugates and standard-of-care chemotherapies.
Rilvegostomig is in Phase III ongoing clinical development in patients with advanced solid tumors, biliary tract cancer, gastric cancer, NSCLC, endometrial cancer, HCC, and urothelial cancer.
first line
5-fluorouracil
Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer
Anti-Drug Antibodies
antibody drug conjugate
Adverse Event
anaplastic lymphoma kinase
American Society of Clinical Oncology / College of American Pathologists
twice daily
body surface area
biliary tract cancers
capecitabine plus oxaliplatin
Cholangiocarcinoma
cluster of differentiation 19
congestive heart failure
maximum observed plasma concentration of a drug
central nervous system
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
combined positive score
chemotherapy
Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events
cytotoxic T–lymphocyte-associated antigen-4
Lowest observed concentration of study drug before the next dose is administered
Trough Plasma Concentration
Dose Level 1
Dose Level 2
duration of response
dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase
endometrial cancer
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score
epidermal growth factor receptor
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer
formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded
fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel
folinic acid (leucovorin), fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin
5-fluorouracil/capecitabine
gallbladder cancer
gastric cancer
gastroesophageal junction
gemcitabine and cisplatin
gastrointestinal
global health status
hepatitis B virus
hepatitis C virus
human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
human immunodeficiency virus
immunohistochemistry
interstitial lung disease
immuno-oncology
intention-to-treat
intravenous
left ventricular ejection fraction
myocardial infarction
mismatch repair
metastatic NSCLC
magnetic resonance imaging
non-small cell lung cancer
overall or objective response rate
overall survival
programmed cell death-1
programmed cell death-ligand 1
programmed cell death-ligand 2
progression-free survival
time to second progression or death
pharmacokinetics
mismatch repair proficient
patient-reported outcomes
phosphatidylserine
every * weeks
every 3 weeks
every 4 weeks
every n weeks
quality of life
randomization
no residual tumor
microscopic residual tumor
Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1
recurrence-free survival
recombinant human hyaluronidase
ROS proto-oncogene 1
serious adverse event
subcutaneous
fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in US only; trastuzumab deruxtecan in other regions of world
tuberculosis
tumor cell
T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains
World Health Organization
capecitabine, oxaliplatin