Targeted toxin active in platinum-resistant ovarian cancers
- Date:
- April 7, 2013
- Source:
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Summary:
- Researchers have found that a novel antibody-guided drug achieves responses in platinum drug-resistant ovarian cancer.
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A new antibody-guided drug has shown promising activity in a phase I trial involving ovarian cancer patients with platinum drug-resistant disease, researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will report today at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. Joyce Liu, MD, MPH, first author of the study, said that among 29 patients who received the antibody-drug conjugate at what was found to be the maximum tolerated dose, there was one complete response and four partial responses. "In addition, there were additional patients with prolonged stable disease who were able to stay on treatment," said Liu, of the gynecologic oncology treatment center at Dana-Farber.
The responses all occurred in patients whose tumors had high expression of the MUC16 protein to which the drug is targeted. Known as DMUC5754A, the drug conjugate consists of an antibody, which recognizes the MUC16 protein expressed by ovarian cancer cells, fused to a toxin, MMAE, which prevents cancer cells from dividing. Targeting the drug conjugate specifically to ovarian cancer cells reduced adverse effects of the toxin on healthy tissues and organs, said Liu. She called the safety profile "encouraging." Most common adverse effects were fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
This phase 1 multicenter trial is the first use in humans of DMUC5754A, and the responses, which Liu called "a nice sign of activity in a very challenging type of ovarian cancer to treat," merit further testing in a phase II trial, which is being planned. "If the activity of this drug is confirmed in additional trials, this will represent a novel type of therapy for ovarian cancer," Liu said.
Senior author of the study is Howard Burris, III, MD, of The Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville.
The findings (abstract LB-290) will be discussed on Saturday, April 06, 2013 in the Washington Convention Center and later at an oral presentation on April 9, 2013.
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Materials provided by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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