Antisoma PLC Presents Positive Tumor Response Data From AS1404 Phase II Trial In Ovarian Cancer
Improvements in efficacy endpoints have now been observed in three separate phase II trials of AS1404. In a lung cancer study, patients receiving AS1404 alongside chemotherapy experienced a 5.2 month increase in median survival compared with those on chemotherapy alone. A study in prostate cancer showed PSA response rates of 57% with AS1404 plus chemotherapy versus 35% with chemotherapy alone.
The phase II studies in ovarian and prostate cancers are ongoing and will report further data on time to progression and survival over the coming year. The lung cancer trial is complete and Antisoma is now preparing for phase III development in this indication.
Dr Michael Jameson said: "It's great to see the data from the ovarian cancer trial of AS1404 heading in the same direction as the positive lung and prostate cancer findings."
Commenting, Glyn Edwards, CEO of Antisoma, said: "We are very pleased with the pattern of data coming out of our phase II studies on AS1404. Ovarian cancer is a significant disease in its own right, and this latest news also adds further support to the idea that AS1404 has broad potential across a wide range of tumour types."
Enquiries: Glyn Edwards, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Elger, Director of Communications +44 (0) 7909 915068 Antisoma plc
Mark Court/Lisa Baderoon/Rebecca Skye Dietrich Buchanan Communications +44 (0)20 7466 5000
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Certain matters discussed in this statement are forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties may be associated with product discovery and development, including statements regarding the company's clinical development programmes, the expected timing of clinical trials and regulatory filings. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially.
Details of the findings
The AS1404 trial in ovarian cancer included 77 women with ovarian cancer that had recurred six months or more after treatment with platinum chemotherapy. Patients were randomised to receive either AS1404 plus carboplatin and paclitaxel ('AS1404 group') or carboplatin and paclitaxel alone ('control group'). Outcomes were assessed according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours). 36 patients were evaluable for efficacy in the AS1404 group: 27 (75.0%) had a complete or partial response, 7 (19.4%) had stable disease and 2 (5.6%) had progressive disease. 38 patients were evaluable for efficacy in the control group: 24 (63.2%) had a complete or partial response, 11 (28.9%) had stable disease and 3 (7.9%) had progressive disease. All of these outcomes are confirmed except 7 in the AS1404 group and 6 in the control group. The poster presentation is available on the Antisoma website at www.antisoma.com.
Background on AS1404
AS1404 (DMXAA) is a small-molecule vascular disrupting agent which targets the blood vessels that nourish tumours. The drug was discovered by Professors Bruce Baguley and William Denny and their teams at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand. It was in-licensed by Antisoma from Cancer Research Ventures Limited (now Cancer Research Technology) in August 2001.
Background on Antisoma
Based in London, UK, Antisoma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel products for the treatment of cancer. Antisoma fills its development pipeline by acquiring promising new product candidates from internationally recognised academic or cancer research institutions. Its core activity is the preclinical and clinical development of these drug candidates. Please visit www.antisoma.com for further information.
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