{"id":62982,"date":"2026-04-22T01:02:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T23:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharma-trend.com\/en\/synthekine-presents-updated-clinical-and-translational-data-demonstrating-strong-activity-for-stk-012-in-first-line-non-squamous-nsclc-in-oral-presentation-at-aacr-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T01:02:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T23:02:24","slug":"synthekine-presents-updated-clinical-and-translational-data-demonstrating-strong-activity-for-stk-012-in-first-line-non-squamous-nsclc-in-oral-presentation-at-aacr-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharma-trend.com\/en\/synthekine-presents-updated-clinical-and-translational-data-demonstrating-strong-activity-for-stk-012-in-first-line-non-squamous-nsclc-in-oral-presentation-at-aacr-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Synthekine Presents Updated Clinical and Translational Data Demonstrating Strong Activity for STK\u2011012 in First\u2011Line Non\u2011Squamous NSCLC in Oral Presentation at AACR 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nSTK-012 + pembrolizumab + chemotherapy in first\u2011line non\u2011squamous NSCLC demonstrated a 50% ORR in predominantly PD\u2011L1-negative patients<\/p>\n

\n61% ORR with the regimen in patients with at least one mutation in the STK11, KEAP1, or SMARCA4 tumor suppressor genes<\/p>\n

\n50% ORR, PFS 5.5 months, and 88% 6-month OS with the regimen in patients with STK11\/KEAP1 co\u2011mutated tumors<\/p>\n

MENLO PARK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Synthekine, Inc., a clinical\u2011stage biotechnology company developing precision cytokine therapeutics, today reported updated clinical and translational data for STK\u2011012 in combination with pembrolizumab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin (PCT) in first\u2011line PD\u2011L1-negative, non\u2011squamous (NSQ) non\u2011small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The data were presented by Salman Punekar, M.D. (NYU Langone Health), in an oral presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego, CA.<\/p>\n

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\nSTK\u2011012 is a first\u2011in\u2011class \u03b1\/\u03b2 IL\u20112 receptor\u2011biased partial agonist designed to selectively stimulate antigen\u2011activated T cells, which are linked to anti\u2011tumor activity, while minimizing broad activation of other lymphocytes, such as natural killer cells, which are associated with IL\u20112\u2011related toxicities. These updated results, from 36 efficacy\u2011evaluable patients, build on clinical data first presented at SITC 2025 and include longer follow\u2011up, new translational analyses, and the first detailed look at durability in the STK11\/KEAP1 co\u2011mutated subgroup.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThese data underscore the potential for STK-012 to improve outcomes for some of the hardest-to-treat patients with lung cancer,\u201d said Naiyer A. Rizvi, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Synthekine. \u201cChemoimmunotherapy remains the first\u2011line standard of care in non\u2011squamous NSCLC, but many patients derive limited benefit. These tumors are often PD\u2011L1-negative and\/or enriched for STK11, KEAP1, and SMARCA4 loss-of-function alterations, all of which contribute to an immune-cold tumor microenvironment. The response rates and early durability signals we are seeing, together with compelling translational evidence of targeted T\u2011cell activation, establish a strong case that STK-012 can overcome the immune resistance that has historically limited outcomes in this population.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nEfficacy and Safety in Immune Resistant Biology<\/b><\/p>\n

\nSTK-012 plus pembrolizumab and chemotherapy (PCT) demonstrated robust activity in patient subsets typically associated with resistance to chemoimmunotherapy:<\/p>\n