Johnson & Johnson's TAR-200 monotherapy achieves high disease-free survival of more than 80 percent in BCG-unresponsive, high-risk papillary NMIBC
Johnson & Johnson's TAR-200 monotherapy achieves high disease-free survival of more than 80 percent in BCG-unresponsive, high-risk papillary NMIBC |
| [26-April-2025] |
First results from SunRISe-1 (Cohort 4) show strong disease-free survival rates across high-grade papillary tumors, demonstrating the potential for bladder preservation with 94 percent of patients avoiding radical cystectomy 95 percent progression-free survival rate at 9-months signals the promise of TAR-200 in this high-risk patient population LAS VEGAS, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced first results from Cohort 4 of the Phase 2b SunRISe-1 study evaluating TAR-200—an intravesical gemcitabine releasing system—for patients with certain types of bladder cancer. These first results show the promise of TAR-200 in this patient population with more than an 80 percent disease-free survival (DFS) rate without the need for reinduction and 94 percent of patients able to preserve their bladder. The high DFS and bladder preservation rate combined with the well-tolerated safety profile in these patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) with papillary-only disease (high-grade Ta or T1) show the potential of TAR-200 as a meaningful alternative to surgery. These results were featured in the Paradigm-Shifting, Practice-Changing Clinical Trials in Urology plenary session at the 2025 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting.1
"The majority of patients remained free of cancer recurrence during this critical early study period, highlighting the potential of TAR-200 as a highly effective treatment for these patients who may have limited options beyond bladder removal," said Félix Guerrero-Ramos*, M.D., PhD, FEBU, Head of Uro-Oncology at Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain and presenting author. "As we continue monitoring patients through the 12-month mark and beyond, our focus remains on assessing TAR-200's long-term efficacy in maintaining disease-free survival and improving outcomes for this high-risk patient population." "Surgical removal of the bladder has long been the standard of care for patients suffering from BCG-unresponsive HR-NMIBC with papillary-only disease, a life-altering procedure that drastically impacts a patient's quality of life," said Christopher Cutie, M.D., Vice President, Disease Area Leader, Bladder Cancer, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "These results demonstrate that TAR-200 can be a meaningful alternative to surgery that is both effective and well-tolerated while preserving the bladder." First results of this interim analysis from Cohort 4 of the SunRISe-1 study demonstrated 85.3 percent and 81.1 percent DFS rates at six and nine months, respectively, in patients with BCG-unresponsive, HR-NMIBC with papillary-only disease treated with TAR-200 monotherapy. These high DFS rates are particularly encouraging given the significant risk of recurrence in this population.2 Among patients with high-grade Ta and T1 disease, DFS rates remained consistently strong—85.7 percent and 84.7 percent at six months, and 82.1 percent and 79.4 percent at nine months, respectively. The strong DFS across both subtypes—despite their differing depths of invasion—underscores the potential of TAR-200 to deliver sustained tissue penetration. Notably, 94.2 percent of patients avoided radical cystectomy at median follow-up of 12.8 months. The early progression-free and overall survival rates of 95.6 percent and 98 percent at nine months, respectively, are reassuring as disease progression or death were highly uncommon among patients treated with TAR-200.1 While 12-month DFS data is not yet mature, these preliminary findings show that TAR-200's sustained intravesical gemcitabine delivery may potentially offer durable disease control while minimizing the need for invasive procedures. These results support continued evaluation in the ongoing Phase 3 SunRISe-5 study (NCT06211764), comparing TAR-200 to chemotherapy in patients with BCG-pretreated, papillary-only HR-NMIBC. Among the 52 patients enrolled, the safety profile of TAR-200 monotherapy was consistent with prior studies, with no new safety signals observed. Most treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were low grade and resolved quickly, with a median duration of 3.7 weeks. Common TRAEs included dysuria (40.4 percent), pollakiuria (30.8 percent), and urgency (26.9 percent). Grade ≥3 TRAEs occurred in 13.5 percent of patients, most frequently bladder pain (3.8 percent). Three patients (5.8 percent) experienced serious TRAEs, and only four (7.7 percent) discontinued treatment due to TRAEs. No treatment-related deaths were reported.1 Bladder cancer ranks among the top ten most common cancers worldwide, affecting nearly a million people each year.3 Despite advancements, the standard of care has remained largely unchanged for over 40 years, leaving patients with limited treatment options if initial BCG therapy does not work.4 TAR-200 delivers sustained medication directly into the bladder, offering a fresh approach to treat early-stage bladder cancer. TAR-200 is inserted directly into the bladder by a healthcare professional in a brief outpatient procedure, without the need for anesthesia. Designed to remain in the bladder, it does not interfere with daily activities and provides sustained release of treatment throughout the day. To date, TAR-200 has been placed more than 10,000 times as part of the SunRISe clinical program. About TAR-200 About SunRISe-1, Cohort 4 About High-Risk Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer About Johnson & Johnson Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Janssen Global Services, LLC, Janssen-Cilag, S.A., Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. *Dr. Guerrero-Ramos has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Johnson & Johnson; he has not been paid for any media work. 1 Guerrero-Ramos, F., et al. TAR-200 monotherapy in patients with bacillus Calmette-Guérin–unresponsive papillary disease–only high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer: first results from Cohort 4 of SunRISe-1. 2025 American Urological Association Annual Meeting. April 26, 2025.
SOURCE Johnson & Johnson | ||||
Company Codes: NYSE:JNJ |
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