CytoSorbents Corporation (CTSO)

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Actemra (tocilizumab) is a humanized interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist. The study that got it approved for CRS looked for a resolution of CRS within 14 days. “Thirty-one patients (69%; 95% CI: 53%–82%) achieved a response, defined as resolution of CRS within 14 days of the first dose of Actemra/RoActemra, no more than two doses of Actemra/RoActemra were needed, and no drugs other than Actemra/RoActemra and corticosteroids were used for treatment.”

If you follow the many case studies and studies of the week you will note that in most cases Cytosorb dramatically reduces IL-6 in a matter of hours not days. The Actemra study also had some of the patients on corticosteroids. Dr. Chan mentioned the following in the Q2 call “in many cases does not work and then they have to turn to high dose steroids, as it means that they exclude to shut off the immune response, but the problem with high steroids is that it can trigger apoptosis in the CAR T-cell immunotherapy therapy”. Do they really want to jeopardize the potential effectiveness of a treatment that costs $475k?

Cytosorb sounds like a much better rescue therapy than tocilizumab. However, tocilizumab is already approved in the US and Cytosorb is not. It should be interesting to see how things play out once Kymriah is available somewhere in the EU where Cytosorb is actually approved for use.