Spectrum Pharma $SPPI will present data at the 2012 ASCO meeting in June on two cancer programs: belinostat and ZEVALIN. Expand the full post for the complete abstarcts.
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OncoGeneX $OGXI will present updated phase 2 prostate cancer data for OGX-427 at #ASCO2012 in June in an oral presentation. I am personally very excited to see the updated data set for this promising mid-stage cancer asset. OGXI also announced their intention to broaden phase 2 development beyond prostate and bladder cancer to include lung and pancreatic cancer. Abstract #4514 A randomized phase II study of OGX-427 plus prednisone (P) versus P alone in patients (pts) with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Kim N. Chi Background: Heat Shock Protein 27 (Hsp27) is a multi-functional chaperone protein that regulates cell signaling and survival pathways implicated in cancer progression. In prostate cancer models, Hsp27 complexes with androgen receptor (AR) and enhances transactivation of AR-regulated genes. OGX-427 is a 2nd generation antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits Hsp27 expression with in vitro and in vivo efficacy and was well tolerated with single agent activity in phase I studies. Methods: Chemotherapy-naÔve pts with no/minimal symptoms were randomized to receive OGX-427 600 mg IV x 3 loading doses then 1000 mg IV weekly with P 5 mg PO BID or P only. Primary endpoint was the proportion of pts progression free (PPF) at 12 weeks (PCWG2 criteria). A 2-stage MinMax design (H0 = 5%, HA >20%, ±=0.1, ≤=0.1) with 32 pts/arm provides 70% power to detect the difference at 0.10 1-sided significance. Secondary endpoints include PSA decline, measurable disease response, and circulating tumour cell (CTC) enumeration. Results: 38 pts have been enrolled; 1st stage of accrual completed with 2nd stage accruing. In the 1st 32 pts randomized (17 to OGX-427+P, 15 to P), baseline median age was 71 years (53-89), ECOG PS 0 or 1 in 66% and 34% of pts, median PSA 66 (6-606), metastases in bone/lymph nodes/liver or lung was 75/56/9%, 31% had prior P treatment, and 93% had "e5 CTC/7.5 ml. Predominantly grade 1/2 infusion reactions (chills, diarrhea, flushing, nausea, vomiting) occurred in 47% of pts receiving OGX-427+P. One pt on OGX-427+P developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. A PSA decline of "e50% occurred in 41% of pts on OGX-427+P, and 20% of pts treated with P. A measurable disease partial response was seen in 3/8 (38%) evaluable pts on OGX-427+P and 0/9 pts on P. CTC conversion from "e5 to <5/7.5 ml occurred in 50% of pts on OGX-427+P and 31% treated with P. Thus far, in 26 evaluable pts the PPF at 12 weeks was 71% (95% CI: 42-92) in OGX-427+P treated pts and 33% (95% CI: 10-65) in pts on P. Conclusions: These data provide clinical evidence for the role of Hsp27 as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer and support continued evaluation of OGX-427 for pts with CRPC. Funded by a grant from the Terry Fox Research Institute. BioSante Pharma $BPAX will present biomarker analysis data from a phase 1/2 trial of GVAX cancer vaccine plus YERVOY (ipilimumab) in prostate cancer at #ASCO12 in June. The clinical data from this trial have been presented and published on several occasions in the past. Abstract #2562 Lymphoid and myeloid biomarkers for clinical outcome of combined immunotherapy with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-tranduced allogeneic prostate cancer cells (GVAX) and ipilimumab in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Alfons J. van den Eertwegh, MD, PhD Background: In a phase-I dose escalation trial in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer we showed that GVAX and ipilimumab had an acceptable safety profile. Moreover, we observed tumor responses and prolonged survival as compared to the Halabi predicted overall survival (OS). However, ipilimumab can also lead to severe immune-related adverse events. To avoid unnecessary exposure to this risk, it is essential to identify biomarkers that correlate with clinical activity. Methods: Patients had castration-resistant prostate cancer and were chemotherapy-naïve. They received bi-weekly GVAX for a 24 week period combined with monthly intravenous administrations of ipilimumab. Each cohort of 3 patients received an escalating dose of ipilimumab at 0·3, 1·0, 3·0 or 5·0 mg/kg. In an expansion cohort 16 patients were treated with GVAX and 3·0 mg/kg ipilimumab. Flowcytometric monitoring of lymphoid and myeloid subsets in blood were performed. Results: We observed a significantly prolonged OS for patients with high pre-treatment frequencies of CD4+CTLA-4+, CD4+PD-1+, or differentiated CD8+ T cells, or low pre-treatment frequencies of differentiated CD4+ T cells or CD4+CD25hiFoxP3+ regulatory T cells. In contrast, increased frequencies of granulocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) and high pre-treatment frequencies of monocytic CD14+HLA-DRlo/- MDSC were associated with reduced OS. Treatment-induced CD4+ T cell differentiation and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation was associated with clinical benefit. Moreover, treatment-induced activation of CD1c+ conventional Dendritic Cells (cDC) and 6-sulfo LacNAc+ inflammatory DC were associated with significantly prolonged OS. Conclusions: Together these data provide an immune profile to predict clinical outcome. Importantly, cluster analysis revealed pre-treatment, CRPC-associated expression of CTLA-4+ by CD4+ T cells to be a dominant predictor for OS after GVAX/ipilimumab. This potentially biomarker for patient selection should be validated in patients treated with ipilimumab. Infinity Pharma $INFI will present the following saridegib (aka IPI-926) data at #ASCO12 in June. This is a different combination regimen for pancreatic cancer, but it appears unlikely that they will continue development in this indication after their phase 2 saridegib plus gemcitabine trial had to be halted early due to excess mortality. Abstract #3105 A phase Ib trial of FOLFIRINOX plus saridegib, an oral hedgehog (Hh) inhibitor, in pts with advanced pancreatic cancer (PDAC). Andrew H. Ko, MD Background: FOLFIRINOX has emerged as the optimal 1st-line treatment option for pts with advanced PDAC and good performance status; whether it can serve as the backbone upon which to add targeted agents in clinical trial design remains uncertain. The goal of this multicenter phase Ib study is to evaluate FOLFIRINOX in combination with saridegib, a novel oral agent that inhibits the Hh signaling pathway. In preclinical models of PDAC, saridegib increases chemotherapy delivery by depleting peritumoral stroma and increasing vascularity. Methods: Pts with previously untreated metastatic or locally advanced PDAC and ECOG PS 0-1 were eligible. Treatment consists of once-daily saridegib with concurrent administration of biweekly FOLFIRINOX (omitting the 5-FU bolus). A 3+3 dose escalation design was used (see dose levels below). Prophylactic WBC growth factor support is mandated. DLT definitions include ALT/AST ≥10x ULN, grade 4 plts or ANC ≥5 d, or grade 3-4 nonheme toxicity. CT scans are obtained every 4 cycles. Limited PK analyses are performed. Results: Seven pts have been enrolled at the first 2 dose levels. Grade 1-2 AEs include GI (N/V/D), dehydration, fatigue, and LFT abnormalities. There was one DLT (grade 3 ALT elevation) at DL2. Other serious toxicities seen include grade 3 nausea (DL1) and grade 3 diarrhea (DL2). Tumor shrinkage has been observed in all 4 pts at DL1, ranging from 17-54%, with 2 unconfirmed PRs. Final MTD determination and updated safety and efficacy data will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: A modified FOLFIRINOX regimen can be safely administered in combination with novel agents in clinical trials of PDAC. While saridegib was not beneficial when added to gemcitabine in a separate randomized phase II study, early evidence of significant responses on the current trial suggests that a more intensive chemotherapy platform may represent a preferable strategy in PDAC trial design. Momenta Pharma $MNTA will present the following preclinical data at #ASCO12 in June on their cancer drug M402 which just entered phase 1/2 trials in pancreatic cancer. Abstract #4056 M402, a heparan sulfate mimetic and novel candidate for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Birgit C. Schultes, PhD Background: Recent advances in pancreatic cancer research implicate the involvement of several heparin-binding growth factors (such as HGF, HB-EGF, PDGF, hedgehogs, and TGFs) that control tumor-stroma interactions. We have rationally designed a heparan sulfate mimetic, M402, which has been previously shown to affect tumor progression and metastasis through disruption of multiple pathways. We hypothesized that M402 could modulate tumor-stroma interactions and enhance the efficacy of gemcitabine, and evaluated its efficacy in two preclinical models. Methods: A genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM; KrasLSLG12D p53LSLR172H) featuring spontaneous pancreatic tumor formation and metastasis assessed M402’s effect on tumorigenesis and metastasis. The orthotopic Capan-2 model in nude mice evaluated the effect of M402 on desmoplasia, a fibrotic response that hinders effective delivery of chemotherapeutics, via inhibition of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling in fibroblasts and stellate cells. In both models, M402 was studied as monotherapy and with gemcitabine. Results: In the GEMM, M402 significantly prolonged survival in combination with gemcitabine while each monotherapy showed modest efficacy. M402, alone and in combination, also reduced metastases and local invasion and inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In the Capan-2 model, gemcitabine was increasingly less effective as desmoplasia progressed over time. The addition of M402 to gemcitabine increased its efficacy with respect to primary tumor burden. Metastasis, invasion, and surrounding fibrotic lesions appeared particularly impacted by the combination treatment. M402 was also effective as monotherapy with dose-dependency, which correlated with reduced SHH signaling. Conclusions: M402 can modulate tumor-stroma interactions involved in the metastatic and desmoplastic pathways in two pancreatic cancer models supporting the translation of these findings into a clinical study. A first-in-human study is planned that will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and biomarker profiles of escalating M402 doses in combination with gemcitabine in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. |
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