Phase 1 JNJ-1761981 ER intratumoral extended-release cisplatin in solid tumors

This Phase 1 open-label Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation study tests intratumoral JNJ-1761981 ER, an extended-release cisplatin formulation designed to deliver platinum DNA-damaging chemotherapy directly into tumor lesions. Part 1 determines a safe and feasible total dose, while Part 2 evaluates optimal volumetric dosing; patients receiving more than one JNJ-1761981 dose may also receive cetrelimab, J&J/Janssen’s PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, at physician discretion. Eligible patients have locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors, excluding CNS tumors, after progression on or intolerance of standard therapy; the expansion focuses on adenocarcinoma or squamous tumors where platinum-based systemic therapy is a standard option. The angle is less a new molecular target than a local-delivery strategy: concentrate a familiar chemotherapy inside injectable tumors, potentially creating cytotoxicity and immune priming while limiting systemic platinum exposure. Today’s care depends on tumor type but generally relies on systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy when biomarker-matched, and local procedures when feasible.