On June 9, 2020 NanOlogy, LLC, a clinical-stage oncology company, reported initiation of a clinical trial of IT NanoPac (submicron particle paclitaxel) for suspension via endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle injection (EBUS-TBNI) in NSCLC and SCLC (Press release, NanOlogy, JUN 9, 2020, View Source [SID1234560917]). The trial follows FDA allowance of an investigational new drug (IND) application for IT NanoPac in neoplasms of the lung. A second IND was also allowed by FDA for a nebulized inhaled form of NanoPac in NSCLC. Five INDs have been established for NanoPac allowing progress of clinical trials via multiple routes of targeted administration for a variety of solid tumors including pancreatic, prostate, ovarian, peritoneal, and now lung.
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Clinical Trial of NanoPac in Lung Cancer
The first study to proceed will be a Phase 2a dose-rising and expansion trial (NCT04314895) evaluating the safety and tolerability of up to 3 monthly IT injections of NanoPac delivered via EBUS-TBNI, concurrent with standard of care therapy, in patients with primary or recurrent NSCLC or SCLC. In addition to safety and pharmacokinetics (PK), the study will measure progression free survival, overall survival, and tumor response determined from CT scan imaging. Blood and biopsy samples will be evaluated for immune effect through flow cytometry and multiplex immunohistochemistry analysis. The trial will begin at two clinical sites: Parkview Healthcare Institute in Fort Wayne, Indiana and University of Florida Health Cancer Center in Gainesville, Florida. More clinical sites will follow. The first subject is expected to be enrolled in August 2020.
Preclinically, a nebulized inhaled form of NanoPac was retained in lung tissue for more than 14 days in a PK model and caused tumor regression and immune cell infiltration in an orthotopic model of NSCLC. Clinical plans for inhaled NanoPac are under development.
Other Clinical Experience with Targeted Delivery of NanoPac
To date, approximately 70 patients have received targeted injections of NanoPac across clinical trials in the prostate and pancreas. Another 30 patients have received intraperitoneal NanoPac for peritoneal and ovarian cancers. NanoPac has been well tolerated in these study subjects with no confirmed drug-related serious adverse events reported. Along with safety and tolerability, signs of activity have also been observed across the clinical programs.
NanOlogy Submicron Particle Therapeutic Platform
The NanOlogy submicron particle therapeutic platform is based on a proprietary production technology that converts taxane API crystals into stable submicron particles of pure drug with disproportionate size to surface area ratio. The particles are covered by two composition of matter patents (US 9,814,685) and (US 10,507,195) both valid until 2036 in the US and pending globally. In addition to lung cancer, NanOlogy clinical programs are advancing in pancreatic, genitourinary, peritoneal, ovarian, and dermal cancers.
About Lung Cancer
In 2020, an estimated 228,820 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. and 135,720 people will die from the disease. Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. responsible last year for 22% of all cancer-related deaths (SEER). Globally, lung cancer is also the most common form of cancer and the deadliest accounting for an estimated 2.1 million annual new cases and 1.8 million deaths (GLOBOCAN 2018).