Studies evaluate Aponermin combined with proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, cytotoxic agents, XPO-1 inhibitors, and BCL-2 inhibitors
WUHAN, China, September 2026
– Wuhan Hiteck Biological
Pharma Co., Ltd. (300683.SZ) announced that five basic and clinical studies of
Aponermin for Injection (SunHiTrail®), the world's first approved DR4/DR5
agonist, were accepted for poster presentation at the 23rd International
Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting & Exposition, held September 23–26,
2026 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, United Kingdom. The studies
were presented by investigators from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital
Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School
of Medicine, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, and
include exploratory analyses of efficacy biomarkers for Aponermin-based
regimens, as well as efficacy and safety evaluations of Aponermin combined with
proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, cytotoxic agents, XPO-1
inhibitors, and BCL-2 inhibitors.
The studies involve frail patients with
newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who are not candidates for intensive
chemotherapy, and patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)
facing major treatment challenges, including relapse after immunotherapy, bulky
extramedullary disease, and multi-drug exposure.
Presentation Overview
Abstract
Title
Presenting Author
PA-164
Efficacy and Safety of Aponermin
(rhTRAIL)-Kd-Based Regimens in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A
Single-Center Retrospective Analysis
Huixing Zhou, PhD, Beijing Chaoyang
Hospital, Capital Medical University
PA-037
Aponermin + KT-DECP, a Good Bridging
Regimen for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma with Extramedullary Disease
Aijun Liu, PhD, Beijing Chaoyang
Hospital, Capital Medical University
PA-524
Venetoclax Synergizes with
Circularly Permuted TRAIL Through DR5 Upregulation and BID-Dependent
Crosstalk in Multiple Myeloma
Yiwen Jiang, PhD, Beijing Chaoyang
Hospital, Capital Medical University
PA-036
Aponermin Combined with Carfilzomib,
Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone in RRMM Patients Relapsing after CAR-T or
BiTE Therapy: A Subgroup Analysis of a Prospective, Single-Arm, Multicenter
Trial
Zhen Cai, MD, PhD, The First
Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
PA-093
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of
Epronermin
(
Aponermin)
Plus Selinexor (CPT+S) in Newly Diagnosed Ultra-Frail
Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Jingxia Li, The First Affiliated
Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
All five studies were
presented in poster format.
Study Highlights
•
Ultra-frail
newly diagnosed patients (PA-093):
This study evaluates the clinical
efficacy and safety of Aponermin combined with selinexor (CPT+S) in ultra-frail
patients with NDMM.
•
Relapse
after immunotherapy (PA-036):
This subgroup analysis of a prospective,
single-arm, multicenter trial evaluates Aponermin combined with carfilzomib,
pomalidomide, and dexamethasone in patients with RRMM relapsing after CAR-T or
BiTE therapy.
•
Carfilzomib-based
regimens (PA-164):
A single-center retrospective analysis assesses the
efficacy and safety of Aponermin combined with carfilzomib and dexamethasone
(Kd)-based regimens in RRMM.
•
Extramedullary
disease (PA-037):
This study evaluates Aponermin plus KT-DECP as a bridging
regimen for RRMM with extramedullary disease.
•
Combination
with a BCL-2 inhibitor (PA-524):
This basic research study examines the
synergy between venetoclax and circularly permuted TRAIL in multiple myeloma
through DR5 upregulation and BID-dependent crosstalk.
Mechanism of Action
Aponermin for Injection is a circularly permuted form of
human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and the
world's first approved DR4/DR5 agonist. It binds to death receptor 4 (DR4)
and/or death receptor 5 (DR5) on the tumor cell surface, activating the
extrinsic apoptotic pathway and triggering a caspase cascade that induces
p53-independent apoptosis. Multiple studies have also shown that DR4/DR5
agonists exert immunomodulatory effects, suppressing regulatory T cells, tumor-associated
macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and other immunosuppressive
cells in the tumor microenvironment, thereby helping to improve the tumor
immune microenvironment.
Scientific Context
The IMS Annual Meeting is one of the most authoritative
scientific gatherings in the global myeloma field, covering basic research,
translational medicine, and clinical practice in multiple myeloma and other
plasma cell disorders. This year's meeting featured 635 research abstracts,
including poster presentations, and 35 late-breaking abstracts, together with
multiple special sessions on basic biology, immunotherapy, disease monitoring,
and other topics. In addition, the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG)
released an important new work,
Defining Cure in Multiple Myeloma
,
during the meeting.
In recent years, basic research, real-world case analyses,
and early and interim data from investigator-initiated trials (IITs) of
Aponermin for Injection have been successively presented at top-tier
international congresses, including the IMS Annual Meeting. Ranging from study
design to in-depth analysis of the target mechanism of action, this body of
work fully reflects the recognition of DR4/DR5 agonists for the treatment of
hematologic malignancies within the international hematology community, as well
as a continuously deepening understanding of their mechanism.
Future Development
Hiteck will accelerate its ongoing research on Aponermin,
with the goal of bringing additional safe, effective, and innovative treatment
options to patients as early as possible.
Aponermin for Injection is approved in China for relapsed or
refractory multiple myeloma. Its use in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and
the combination regimens described above are investigational, and their safety
and efficacy have not been established.
FAQ
What is Aponermin?
Aponermin for Injection (SunHiTrail®) is a Class 1 innovative
biologic developed by Hiteck. It is a circularly permuted form of human TRAIL
and the world's first approved DR4/DR5 agonist, approved in China in 2023 for
relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
What was presented at the 23rd IMS Annual Meeting?
Five posters: four clinical studies of Aponermin-based
combination regimens in newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory multiple
myeloma, and one basic research study on the mechanism of synergy between
Aponermin and venetoclax.
Which patients do these studies focus on?
Frail patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, and
patients with RRMM facing major treatment challenges, including relapse after
CAR-T or bispecific therapy, extramedullary disease, and extensive prior drug
exposure.
About Hiteck
Wuhan Hiteck Biological Pharma Co., Ltd. was founded in 1992
at the Medical School of Wuhan University and is a publicly listed
biopharmaceutical company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (stock code: 300683).
Guided by its mission of "Innovating for Life," Hiteck focuses on
oncology, neurology, and immunology, with a continued commitment to the
development of innovative biologics and small molecule therapeutics. In
oncology, Hiteck developed Aponermin, the world's first approved DR4 and DR5
agonist, which received regulatory approval in 2023 and was rapidly included in
the national reimbursement program, introducing a novel therapeutic target for
patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Hiteck continues to
build the clinical evidence for Aponermin-based combination regimens across
newly diagnosed and difficult-to-treat relapsed myeloma populations. In
neurology, the company translated Nobel Prize winning discoveries into clinical
practice with Jinlujie, the world's first approved nerve growth factor (NGF)
therapy, which has benefited millions of patients. Leveraging the HiSMART™
platform, Hiteck is advancing multiple innovative small molecule programs in
parallel, supported by GMP compliant manufacturing facilities and integrated
value chain capabilities, with the aim of delivering sustained innovation and
meaningful benefits to patients worldwide.
Media Contact
Company:
Wuhan Hiteck Biological Pharma Co., Ltd.
Website:
Hiteckpharma.com
Email:
bd@hiteck.com.cn
Address:
Hiteck Science and Technology Park, Wuhan
Economic and Technological Development Zone, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430056,
China.