On October
24, 2014, at the iMig (International Mesothelioma Interest Group) Conference, Professor
Raphael Bueno, M.D., Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
(BWH), presented preliminary data on Verastem, Inc.’s clinical ‘Window of
Opportunity’ study evaluating the biomarker response to VS-6063 (defactinib),
an oral small molecule that targets cancer stem cells through the inhibition of
focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in pleural mesothelioma patients (mpm) eligible for
resection surgery.
The
drug was administered to 10 patients twice a day, for 12 days, with biopsies
performed before and after the administration of the drug. Tumor size was
measured using CT/PET scans before and after the 12-day administration of
VS-6063.
VS-6063
reduced FAK activity by an average of 70%, and in 5 of the 7 patients reduced
the presence of cancer stem cell markers in the post-treatment biopsies. None
of the 10 patients saw any tumor growth in the 12 days, and 2 of the 10
patients experienced partial tumor shrinkage of -30%, and -49%.
“To
follow up on these encouraging results, the protocol is being amended to
explore more extended dosing in 10-15 additional patients with mesothelioma
prior to surgery,” said Dr. Bueno. “The window of opportunity before elective
surgery provides a novel platform for the clinical evaluation of promising new
agents for the treatment of this devastating disease.”
In addition
to the ‘Window of Opportunity’ study, Verastem is conducting a
registration-directed COMMAND (Control Of Mesothelioma with MAinteNance
Defactinib) study as a disease maintenance program following successful treatment
with Alimta and cisplatin in patients with mpm.
Verastem
also presented preclinical data at the iMig Conference which demonstrated the
ability of VS-6063 and the combination of VS-6063 and VS-5584 to target and
kill cancer stem cells in models of mesothelioma.
The
administration of drugs prior to surgery to suppress tumor growth is not new.
Many patients undergo chemotherapy before surgery in an effort to reduce tumor
size and minimize complications. The possibility of inhibiting the disease’s
production of a particular biomarker linked directly to tumor growth is very promising.
Verastem’s
approach to developing targeted therapies for mesothelioma has the potential to
not only improve treatment of this aggressive and deadly disease, but to offer new
hope to patients struggling with their disease.
For
more information on this study please visit: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=250749&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1981229&highlight=
For
additional information on Verastem’s ongoing research into treatment therapies
for mesothelioma please visit: http://www.verastem.com/research/presentations.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment