NORTH CHICAGO, Ill— AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) is set to present new findings from its early-stage oncology research at the upcoming American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 25-30, 2025.
The presentations will focus on promising investigational therapies and cutting-edge insights aimed at addressing some of the most challenging cancers. Key highlights will include data on two novel drug candidates, ABBV-969 and ABBV-514, and innovative research on treatment resistance and biomarker identification.
“We are committed to advancing therapies that can transform the lives of people living with hard-to-treat cancers,” said Theodora S. Ross, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Early Oncology Research and Development at AbbVie. “By integrating the latest breakthroughs in translational research, we are developing novel therapeutic strategies like ABBV-969 and ABBV-514, which hold the potential to improve outcomes for cancer patients globally.”
ABBV-969: A Dual-Targeted ADC for Prostate Cancer
One of the key presentations at AACR 2025 will feature data from ABBV-969, a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets both STEAP1 and PSMA antigens, commonly overexpressed in prostate cancer cells. ABBV-969 utilizes a proprietary cytotoxic topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (Top1i) payload, designed to deliver potent cancer cell-killing action specifically to tumor cells. The data will be presented in an oral session, detailing the progress of ABBV-969 in a Phase 1 clinical trial for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This trial (NCT06318273) is evaluating the dual-targeted ADC as a promising option for patients with advanced disease.
ABBV-514: A Novel CCR8-Targeting Antibody
In another significant presentation, AbbVie will provide updates on ABBV-514, a cutting-edge CCR8-targeting antibody that is currently in Phase 1 trials for various solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and head and neck cancer. CCR8 is a promising immune-oncology target due to its high expression on regulatory T cells (Tregs), which play a key role in suppressing immune responses within tumors. Elevated levels of CCR8+ Tregs are often associated with poor clinical outcomes in cancer. Preclinical studies have shown that ABBV-514 depletes CCR8+ Tregs within the tumor microenvironment, potentially enhancing the anti-tumor immune response. ABBV-514 is being tested both as a monotherapy and in combination with budigalimab, a PD-1-blocking antibody, in the ongoing Phase 1 trial (NCT05005403).
Innovative Research on Treatment Resistance and Biomarkers
AbbVie will also present several important real-world-data analyses at the AACR meeting, shedding light on treatment resistance mechanisms and the identification of new biomarkers that could guide precision medicine in oncology. One analysis will explore the overlap of folate receptor alpha (FRa) expression with other biomarkers in ovarian cancer. FRa is found in 90% of ovarian cancers, and the study could pave the way for more targeted therapies and better treatment matching for patients.
In addition, AbbVie will share insights from a multi-omics study focused on identifying clinical features and molecular mechanisms that contribute to long-term response and acquired resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC. This research aims to improve patient outcomes by better understanding resistance pathways to therapies like PD-1 inhibitors.
Another study will explore the potential of germline variants as predictive biomarkers of cancer patient prognosis and treatment response. By linking electronic health record data with genomics, AbbVie’s research aims to advance personalized treatment approaches across various solid tumor types.
Looking Ahead
As AbbVie continues to expand its early oncology pipeline, the company remains focused on developing next-generation treatments that can address the complex and evolving challenges of cancer care. The insights shared at the AACR Annual Meeting will further highlight AbbVie’s commitment to pioneering therapies that aim to significantly improve outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
