ImmunityBio’s Brain Cancer Therapy Shows Promising Early Results

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ImmunityBio has released encouraging interim data from a clinical trial targeting glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. The ongoing Phase 2 study, known as QUILT-3.078, indicates that a majority of participants have not yet reached the primary endpoint of median overall survival. This outcome is notable given the typical prognosis for this difficult-to-treat malignancy, where survival often ranges from just six to nine months.

On January 23, 2026, the biotechnology firm provided an update on its investigational combination therapy. The regimen tests the company's drug ANKTIVA® alongside a CAR-NK cell therapy and the antibody Bevacizumab in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. As of the data cutoff on January 22, 2026, the median overall survival had not been reached among 14 evaluable patients, who had a median follow-up time of six months.

At the time of the analysis, 19 of the 23 enrolled patients were still alive. Researchers observed a beneficial ancillary effect: the treatment reversed severe lymphopenia, a condition characterized by low lymphocyte counts that commonly occurs after radiation and chemotherapy. The absolute lymphocyte count increased significantly during the first treatment cycle and remained stable for over 20 weeks. The safety profile for the combination therapy was described as manageable.

Strategic Timing and Future Developments

These findings arrive at an opportune moment for ImmunityBio. Earlier in the same week, the company announced a productive meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the potential re-approval of ANKTIVA for BCG-refractory bladder cancer. ANKTIVA is already approved in the United States for certain types of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

The fight against glioblastoma represents a significant unmet medical need, making any therapy that could extend survival highly consequential. ImmunityBio is currently developing randomized studies for both first-line and second- or later-line treatment settings. The company plans to present detailed results from the QUILT-3.078 study at the Stand Up to Cancer Glioblastoma Innovation Scientific Summit on January 31, 2026. ImmunityBio's next quarterly financial report is anticipated around March 2, 2026.