Citius Oncology Reports Positive Results from lymphir Clinical Trial
Citius Oncology announced positive topline results from a completed investigator-initiated Phase1 clinical trial evaluating the direct T-regulatory, or Treg, cell depletion activity of lymphir - denileukin diftitox-cxdl - in combination with the PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab - Keytruda - in patients with recurrent or refractory gynecologic cancers, including ovarian and endometrial malignancies. Patients with relapsed or refractory gynecological cancer have poor prognoses and very limited treatment options. This dose-escalation Phase 1 non-chemotherapy based clinical study aimed to establish a recommended dose of lymphir in combination with pembrolizumab for a Phase 2 study. In 25 evaluable patients, no unexpected safety signals or serious immune-related adverse events were observed at any dose level. The trial explored efficacy and demonstrated a 24% objective response rate and a 48% clinical benefit rate among 21 evaluable patients. Full safety and clinical efficacy results are expected to be presented at an international cancer conference later this year.
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- Clinical Trial Results: The Phase 1 trial led by the University of Pittsburgh demonstrated that LYMPHIR combined with KEYTRUDA showed no unexpected safety signals in 25 patients, indicating a favorable safety profile that could offer new treatment options for difficult-to-treat gynecologic cancers.
- Efficacy Assessment: Among 21 evaluable patients, the combination therapy achieved a 24% objective response rate (ORR) and a 48% clinical benefit rate (CBR), highlighting the potential of this combination to enhance anti-tumor activity and warranting further investigation.
- Market Potential: LYMPHIR is estimated to have a market potential exceeding $400 million, and as demand for novel therapies increases, Citius Oncology's competitive positioning in oncology will be further strengthened, particularly in the ovarian cancer sector where immunotherapy has had limited impact.
- Future Research Plans: Citius Oncology intends to explore the efficacy of LYMPHIR in subsequent Phase 2 studies, and if results are confirmed, it could provide a transformative treatment option for gynecologic cancer patients, significantly improving patient outcomes.
- Clinical Trial Response Rate: The LYMPHIR clinical trial conducted at the University of Minnesota and City of Hope demonstrated an 86% overall response rate, including a 57% complete response and a 29% partial response, indicating the potential efficacy of LYMPHIR in patients with high-risk relapsed DLBCL, which may provide new treatment options in the future.
- Good Safety Profile: LYMPHIR exhibited a favorable safety profile in the trial, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed, laying a solid foundation for its clinical application and potentially enhancing patient acceptance and adherence to treatment.
- Enhancing CAR-T Therapy: The use of LYMPHIR aims to augment the anti-tumor activity of CAR-T cell therapies by improving T-cell depleting effects, which could increase the effectiveness of existing treatment regimens and advance the field of tumor immunotherapy.
- Future Research Directions: The findings set the stage for larger clinical trials, with Citius Oncology planning to further explore the combination of LYMPHIR with other therapies to enhance treatment efficacy and improve long-term patient outcomes.
- Trial Results: The investigator-initiated study of LYMPHIR™ (E7777) at the University of Minnesota and City of Hope demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 86%, including 57% complete responses (CR) and 29% partial responses (PR), indicating its potential efficacy in high-risk relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients.
- Safety Profile: LYMPHIR was well tolerated in the trial, with no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) observed, as all 14 patients completed treatment and proceeded to CAR-T infusion, highlighting its favorable safety profile without any Grade ≥3 immune adverse events reported.
- Treg Depletion Effect: A single dose of LYMPHIR resulted in Treg depletion in nearly all patients, with a median reduction of 24 Tregs/µL, suggesting its potential to enhance standard lymphodepletion regimens and improve the anti-tumor activity of CAR-T therapies.
- Future Research Directions: These findings set the stage for larger studies to assess the potential of LYMPHIR to enhance CAR-T efficacy through prolonged use, further advancing Citius Oncology's strategic positioning in the field of cancer immunotherapy.
- Revenue Milestone: Citius Pharmaceuticals successfully launched LYMPHIR in December 2025, generating $3.9 million in revenue during Q1 2026, marking a significant transition to a revenue-generating company and reflecting initial success in the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treatment market.
- Market Potential Assessment: The initial market for LYMPHIR is estimated to exceed $400 million and is underserved by existing therapies, highlighting strategic opportunities and growth potential for Citius in the oncology treatment sector.
- Pipeline Progress: Citius's late-stage pipeline includes Mino-Lok and Halo-Lido, with the former completing a pivotal Phase 3 trial in 2023 and meeting primary and secondary endpoints, which is expected to further drive future revenue growth for the company.
- Financial Stewardship Commitment: The company is committed to financial stewardship to sustain growth momentum while focusing on advancing its late-stage pipeline, aiming to maximize long-term shareholder value through the provision of first-in-class critical care products.
- Initial Sales Revenue: Citius Oncology successfully launched LYMPHIR in December 2025, generating $3.9 million in initial sales revenue, marking a pivotal transition from a development-stage organization to a commercial entity, which is expected to significantly enhance future market share and investor confidence.
- Significant Market Potential: The market for LYMPHIR, targeting relapsed or refractory Stage I-III CTCL, is estimated to exceed $400 million and remains underserved by existing therapies, indicating a strategic positioning for long-term growth in the oncology treatment landscape.
- Accelerating Physician Adoption: Since the beginning of 2026, physicians have started initiating patients on LYMPHIR, with the company focusing on accelerating adoption rates and expanding patient access, which will directly drive sales growth and enhance competitive positioning in the market.
- Strategic Investment and Execution: Citius Oncology plans to leverage an advanced AI-enabled commercial platform to support market penetration, with management emphasizing ongoing capital management and evaluation of strategic opportunities to enhance long-term shareholder value, ensuring the company maintains a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.

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