Guardant Health to present data at ASCO GI supporting use of liquid biopsy to predict colon cancer recurrence

On January 17, 2024 Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, reported that it will present interim data from the COSMOS study supporting the use of Guardant Reveal to predict disease recurrence in patients with early-stage colon cancer at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, January 18-20 in San Francisco (Press release, Guardant Health, JAN 17, 2024, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240117367538/en/Guardant-Health-to-present-data-at-ASCO-GI-supporting-use-of-liquid-biopsy-to-predict-colon-cancer-recurrence [SID1234639302]).

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Guardant Reveal analyzes comprehensive molecular signals in the blood to detect and quantify minimal residual disease (MRD). The COSMOS study evaluated the use of the newest version of the test, built on the Guardant Infinity smart liquid biopsy platform, to identify MRD and predict disease recurrence in 130 patients with early-stage (II and III) colon cancer. Interim data to be shared at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI suggest the test is both highly specific (low false positives) and predictive for recurrence, without dependence on a tissue sample.

"Studies have established the presence of residual disease after surgery is associated with a higher probability of recurrence in early-stage colon cancer," said Craig Eagle, M.D., Guardant Health chief medical officer. "The interim COSMOS data are very promising and support the use of Guardant Reveal to predict disease recurrence and help inform adjuvant therapy decisions for patients with Stage II or III colon cancer."

Guardant and its research partners will also present multiple posters at the symposium highlighting the application of Guardant technology in blood-based screening and in identifying potentially targetable mutations in GI cancers, including predictive markers for treatment resistance.

Guardant Health 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI Poster Presentations

Guardant Reveal

Multiomic Analysis for Minimal Residual Disease Detection: Addressing Challenges in Stage II-III Colon Cancer from COSMOS-CRC-01 (Abstract 180 | Poster Bd L8)
Early Identification and Treatment of Occult Metastatic Disease in Stage III Colon Cancer (ACT3) (Abstract 148 | Poster Bd J14)
Phase II results of Circulating tumOr DNA as a predictive BiomaRker in Adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II colon cancer: NRG-GI005 (COBRA) Phase II/III Study (Oral Abstract Session; Abstract 5)
Guardant360

The genomic landscape of advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma patients with PIK3CA mutations using comprehensive cell free tumor DNA next generation sequencing (Abstract 181 | Poster Bd L9)
Association of candidate alterations with primary resistance to KRAS G12D targeting in colorectal cancer (Abstract 170 | Poster Bd K18)
GuardantINFORM

Clinical utility of serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to identify acquired resistance to anti-EGFR antibodies in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) (Abstract 158 | Poster Bd K6)
Real-world testing and treatment patterns and outcomes following liquid biopsy in advanced cholangiocarcinoma (Abstract 455 | Poster Bd A20)
Assessment of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) burden and association with outcomes in metastatic gastric cancer (mGC) patients using real-world data (RWD) (Abstract 276 | Poster Bd C14)
Shield

Enhanced blood-based colorectal cancer screening with improved performance in detection of early stage disease (Abstract 68 | Poster Bd E11)
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) positivity and its association with clinicopathological characteristics by novel blood-based test for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening from a multi-center large cohort: COSMOS-CRC-01 (Abstract 69 | Poster Bd E12)
Prospective study of a multi-modal blood-based test for colorectal cancer screening (Abstract 70 | Poster Bd E13)
The full abstracts are available on the official ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024 GI Cancers Symposium website.

Bayer Reveals Latest Prostate Cancer Data at 2024 ASCO GU Cancers Symposium

On January 17, 2024 Bayer reported that it will present new data across its prostate cancer portfolio at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary (ASCO GU) Cancers Symposium, taking place January 25-27, 2024 in San Francisco, California (Press release, Bayer, JAN 17, 2024, View Source [SID1234639301]). These presentations underscore Bayer’s commitment to advance prostate cancer care.

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NUBEQA (darolutamide) data includes post hoc sensitivity analyses from the Phase III ARASENS trial, evaluating overall survival (OS) with NUBEQA and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and docetaxel in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients accounting for subsequent therapy. A separate analysis from the same trial comparing hospitalization rates and length of hospital stay during and post-docetaxel will also be presented.

An update will be provided from ARASTEP, the ongoing Phase III trial investigating NUBEQA plus ADT versus ADT alone in hormone-sensitive patients with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR), and ARAMON, the ongoing Phase II randomized, open-label investigational study comparing NUBEQA to enzalutamide monotherapy on serum testosterone levels in patients with castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC) after BCR. Furthermore, a systematic review on indirect treatment comparisons in mHSPC will be presented.

NUBEQA is currently indicated in the U.S. in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of adult patients with mHSPC and for the treatment of adult patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC).1

Bayer will also present new data from the REASSURE observational study evaluating the safety outcomes of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with XOFIGO (radium Ra 223 dichloride) following EBRT in the U.S. subset of patients enrolled.

XOFIGO is indicated for the treatment of patients with mCRPC, symptomatic bone metastases, and no known visceral metastatic disease.2

Details on select abstracts from Bayer at the 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU Cancers Symposium are listed below:

Darolutamide

Abstract title: Overall survival with darolutamide vs placebo in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and docetaxel: A sensitivity analysis from ARASENS accounting for subsequent therapy
Poster: G16; January 25, 11:30AM-1:00PM PST
Abstract title: Rate of hospitalization and length of hospital stay during and post docetaxel for darolutamide in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer using ARASENS
Poster: K16; January 25, 11:30AM-1:00PM PST
Abstract title: Darolutamide plus androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer: A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (ARASTEP) – Trial in Progress
Poster: Q15; January 25, 11:30AM-1:00PM PST
Abstract title: ARAMON: A phase 2, randomized, open-label study comparing darolutamide (DARO) vs enzalutamide (ENZA) monotherapy on serum testosterone levels in patients (pts) with castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC) after biochemical recurrence (BCR) – Trial in Progress
Poster: Q4; January 25, 11:30AM-1:00PM PST
Abstract title: A systematic review: Are the findings of indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs) in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) consistent?
Poster: N15; January 25, 11:30AM-1:00PM PST
Radium-223 dichloride (Ra-223)

Abstract title: Safety outcomes in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with radium-223 following external beam radiation therapy: REASSURE US subset
Poster: D21; January 25, 11:30AM-1:00PM PST
About NUBEQA (darolutamide)1

NUBEQA is an androgen receptor inhibitor (ARi) with a distinct chemical structure that competitively inhibits androgen binding, AR nuclear translocation, and AR-mediated transcription.

On July 30, 2019, the FDA approved NUBEQA (darolutamide) based on the ARAMIS trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center Phase III study, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of oral NUBEQA in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC).

Based on results from the ARASENS trial, a randomized, Phase III, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, NUBEQA plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and docetaxel was approved on August 5, 2022 for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).

NUBEQA is also being investigated in additional studies across various stages of prostate cancer, including in the ARANOTE Phase III trial evaluating NUBEQA plus ADT versus ADT alone for mHSPC, the ARASTEP Phase III trial evaluating NUBEQA plus ADT versus ADT alone in HSPC patients with high-risk BCR and no evidence of metastatic disease, as well as in the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) led international Phase III co-operative group DASL-HiCaP (ANZUP1801) trial evaluating NUBEQA as an adjuvant treatment for localized prostate cancer with very high risk of recurrence. Information about these trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Developed jointly by Bayer and Orion Corporation, a globally operating Finnish pharmaceutical company, NUBEQA is indicated for the treatment of adults with nmCRPC or with mHSPC in combination with docetaxel.1 Filings in other regions are underway or planned.

INDICATIONS

NUBEQA (darolutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:

Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC)
Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in combination with docetaxel
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Warnings & Precautions

Ischemic Heart Disease – In a study of patients with nmCRPC (ARAMIS), ischemic heart disease occurred in 3.2% of patients receiving NUBEQA versus 2.5% receiving placebo, including Grade 3-4 events in 1.7% vs. 0.4%, respectively. Ischemic events led to death in 0.3% of patients receiving NUBEQA vs. 0.2% receiving placebo. In a study of patients with mHSPC (ARASENS), ischemic heart disease occurred in 3.2% of patients receiving NUBEQA with docetaxel vs. 2% receiving placebo with docetaxel, including Grade 3-4 events in 1.3% vs. 1.1%, respectively. Ischemic events led to death in 0.3% of patients receiving NUBEQA with docetaxel vs. 0% receiving placebo with docetaxel. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Discontinue NUBEQA for Grade 3-4 ischemic heart disease.

Seizure – In ARAMIS, Grade 1-2 seizure occurred in 0.2% of patients receiving NUBEQA vs. 0.2% receiving placebo. Seizure occurred 261 and 456 days after initiation of NUBEQA. In ARASENS, seizure occurred in 0.6% of patients receiving NUBEQA with docetaxel, including one Grade 3 event, vs. 0.2% receiving placebo with docetaxel. Seizure occurred 38 to 340 days after initiation of NUBEQA. It is unknown whether antiepileptic medications will prevent seizures with NUBEQA. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while receiving NUBEQA and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause harm to themselves or others. Consider discontinuation of NUBEQA in patients who develop a seizure during treatment.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity – Safety and efficacy of NUBEQA have not been established in females. NUBEQA can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with NUBEQA and for 1 week after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions

In ARAMIS, serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of patients receiving NUBEQA vs. 20% of patients receiving placebo. Serious adverse reactions in ≥1% of patients who received NUBEQA included urinary retention, pneumonia, and hematuria. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.9% of patients receiving NUBEQA vs. 3.2% of patients receiving placebo. Fatal adverse reactions in patients who received NUBEQA included death (0.4%), cardiac failure (0.3%), cardiac arrest (0.2%), general physical health deterioration (0.2%), and pulmonary embolism (0.2%). The most common adverse reactions (>2% with a ≥2% increase over placebo), including laboratory test abnormalities, were increased AST, decreased neutrophil count, fatigue, increased bilirubin, pain in extremity, and rash. Clinically relevant adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of patients treated with NUBEQA included ischemic heart disease and heart failure.

In ARASENS, serious adverse reactions occurred in 45% of patients receiving NUBEQA with docetaxel vs. 42% of patients receiving placebo with docetaxel. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients who received NUBEQA with docetaxel included febrile neutropenia (6%), decreased neutrophil count (2.8%), musculoskeletal pain (2.6%), and pneumonia (2.6%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4% of patients receiving NUBEQA with docetaxel vs. 4% of patients receiving placebo with docetaxel. Fatal adverse reactions in patients who received NUBEQA included COVID-19/COVID-19 pneumonia (0.8%), myocardial infarction (0.3%), and sudden death (0.3%). The most common adverse reactions (≥10% with a ≥2% increase over placebo with docetaxel) were constipation, rash, decreased appetite, hemorrhage, increased weight, and hypertension. The most common laboratory test abnormalities (≥30%) were anemia, hyperglycemia, decreased lymphocyte count, decreased neutrophil count, increased AST, increased ALT, and hypocalcemia. Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <10% of patients who received NUBEQA with docetaxel included fractures, ischemic heart disease, seizures, and drug-induced liver injury.

Drug Interactions

Effect of Other Drugs on NUBEQA – Combined P-gp and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers decrease NUBEQA exposure, which may decrease NUBEQA activity. Avoid concomitant use.

Combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increase NUBEQA exposure, which may increase the risk of NUBEQA adverse reactions. Monitor more frequently and modify NUBEQA dose as needed.

Effects of NUBEQA on Other Drugs – NUBEQA inhibits breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) transporter. Concomitant use increases exposure (AUC) and maximal concentration of BCRP substrates, which may increase the risk of BCRP substrate-related toxicities. Avoid concomitant use where possible. If used together, monitor more frequently for adverse reactions, and consider dose reduction of the BCRP substrate.

NUBEQA inhibits OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 transporters. Concomitant use may increase plasma concentrations of OATP1B1 or OATP1B3 substrates. Monitor more frequently for adverse reactions and consider dose reduction of these substrates.

Review the Prescribing Information of drugs that are BCRP, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 substrates when used concomitantly with NUBEQA.

For important risk and use information about NUBEQA, please see the accompanying full Prescribing Information.

About Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) Injection2

Xofigo is indicated for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease.

Important Safety Information for Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) Injection

Warnings and Precautions:

Bone Marrow Suppression: In the phase 3 ALSYMPCA trial, 2% of patients in the Xofigo arm experienced bone marrow failure or ongoing pancytopenia, compared to no patients treated with placebo. There were two deaths due to bone marrow failure. For 7 of 13 patients treated with Xofigo bone marrow failure was ongoing at the time of death. Among the 13 patients who experienced bone marrow failure, 54% required blood transfusions. Four percent (4%) of patients in the Xofigo arm and 2% in the placebo arm permanently discontinued therapy due to bone marrow suppression. In the randomized trial, deaths related to vascular hemorrhage in association with myelosuppression were observed in 1% of Xofigo-treated patients compared to 0.3% of patients treated with placebo. The incidence of infection-related deaths (2%), serious infections (10%), and febrile neutropenia (<1%) was similar for patients treated with Xofigo and placebo. Myelosuppression–notably thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, and leukopenia–has been reported in patients treated with Xofigo.

Monitor patients with evidence of compromised bone marrow reserve closely and provide supportive care measures when clinically indicated. Discontinue Xofigo in patients who experience life-threatening complications despite supportive care for bone marrow failure
Hematological Evaluation: Monitor blood counts at baseline and prior to every dose of Xofigo. Prior to first administering Xofigo, the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) should be ≥1.5 × 109/L, the platelet count ≥100 × 109/L, and hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL. Prior to subsequent administrations, the ANC should be ≥1 × 109/L and the platelet count ≥50 × 109/L. Discontinue Xofigo if hematologic values do not recover within 6 to 8 weeks after the last administration despite receiving supportive care
Concomitant Use With Chemotherapy: Safety and efficacy of concomitant chemotherapy with Xofigo have not been established. Outside of a clinical trial, concomitant use of Xofigo in patients on chemotherapy is not recommended due to the potential for additive myelosuppression. If chemotherapy, other systemic radioisotopes, or hemibody external radiotherapy are administered during the treatment period, Xofigo should be discontinued
Increased Fractures and Mortality in Combination With Abiraterone Plus Prednisone/Prednisolone: Xofigo is not recommended for use in combination with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone/prednisolone outside of clinical trials. At the primary analysis of the Phase 3 ERA-223 study that evaluated concurrent initiation of Xofigo in combination with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone/prednisolone in 806 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic mCRPC patients, an increased incidence of fractures (28.6% vs 11.4%) and deaths (38.5% vs 35.5%) have been observed in patients who received Xofigo in combination with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone/prednisolone compared to patients who received placebo in combination with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone/prednisolone. Safety and efficacy with the combination of Xofigo and agents other than gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues have not been established
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: The safety and efficacy of Xofigo have not been established in females. Xofigo can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female. Advise pregnant females and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise male patients to use condoms and their female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 6 months after completing treatment with Xofigo
Administration and Radiation Protection: Xofigo should be received, used, and administered only by authorized persons in designated clinical settings. The administration of Xofigo is associated with potential risks to other persons from radiation or contamination from spills of bodily fluids such as urine, feces, or vomit. Therefore, radiation protection precautions must be taken in accordance with national and local regulations

Fluid Status: Dehydration occurred in 3% of patients on Xofigo and 1% of patients on placebo. Xofigo increases adverse reactions such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which may result in dehydration. Monitor patients’ oral intake and fluid status carefully and promptly treat patients who display signs or symptoms of dehydration or hypovolemia

Injection Site Reactions: Erythema, pain, and edema at the injection site were reported in 1% of patients on Xofigo

Secondary Malignant Neoplasms: Xofigo contributes to a patient’s overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure may be associated with an increased risk of cancer and hereditary defects. Due to its mechanism of action and neoplastic changes, including osteosarcomas, in rats following administration of radium-223 dichloride, Xofigo may increase the risk of osteosarcoma or other secondary malignant neoplasms. However, the overall incidence of new malignancies in the randomized trial was lower on the Xofigo arm compared to placebo (<1% vs 2%; respectively), but the expected latency period for the development of secondary malignancies exceeds the duration of follow-up for patients on the trial

Subsequent Treatment With Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: In the randomized clinical trial, 16% of patients in the Xofigo group and 18% of patients in the placebo group received cytotoxic chemotherapy after completion of study treatments. Adequate safety monitoring and laboratory testing was not performed to assess how patients treated with Xofigo will tolerate subsequent cytotoxic chemotherapy

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) in the Xofigo arm vs the placebo arm, respectively, were nausea (36% vs 35%), diarrhea (25% vs 15%), vomiting (19% vs 14%), and peripheral edema (13% vs 10%). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were reported in 57% of Xofigo-treated patients and 63% of placebo-treated patients. The most common hematologic laboratory abnormalities in the Xofigo arm (≥10%) vs the placebo arm, respectively, were anemia (93% vs 88%), lymphocytopenia (72% vs 53%), leukopenia (35% vs 10%), thrombocytopenia (31% vs 22%), and neutropenia (18% vs 5%)

Please see the full Prescribing Information for Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride).

MAIA Biotechnology Provides Positive Phase 2 Clinical Updates for Lead Anticancer Agent and Outlines Targeted Milestones for 2024

On January 17, 2024 MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) ("MAIA", the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, reported new interim data for its ongoing THIO-101 Phase 2 trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and outlined key clinical milestones for 2024 (Press release, MAIA Biotechnology, JAN 17, 2024, View Source [SID1234639300]).

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In the latest available data from THIO-101 (November 13, 2023), 60 patients had been dosed with THIO in sequential combination with Libtayo. The patients received either 60mg, 180mg, or 360mg of THIO per dose, and 42 had at least one post baseline assessment completed. The observed disease control was well sustained compared to previous scans.

"We are entering 2024 with strong momentum and great excitement about our programs and pipeline," said Vlad Vitoc, M.D., MAIA’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "To date, preliminary Phase 2 data on THIO in NSCLC has demonstrated unprecedented rates of disease control and response — measures that vastly outperform the standard of care."

"In addition to NSCLC, our pipeline of immuno-oncology therapies includes THIO orphan drug designations for multiple hard-to-treat cancers, and our research includes THIO-like second-generation telomere-targeting agents. The main objective for the second-generation program is to discover new compounds with potentially improved specificity towards cancer cells relative to normal cells and with potentially increased anticancer activity," Dr. Vitoc continued.

"Multiple milestones are on target for 2024 as enrollment continues in THIO-101, including long-term efficacy as a major clinical inflection point."

Key 2023 Achievements

Positive Preliminary Efficacy Data: Key findings from THIO-101 included:

100% preliminary disease control rate (DCR) in second-line and 88% in third-line, in highly difficult-to-treat patients who already progressed through previous lines of treatment.
DCR across all dose levels met pre-determined statistical requirements earlier than expected to proceed to next stage of the trial.
Third orphan drug designation (ODD) granted to THIO: MAIA’s portfolio of immuno-oncology therapies with ODDs now includes a third hard-to-treat cancer, glioblastoma, the most aggressive and most common type of brain cancer with only limited treatment options.

U.S. FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) Clearance: The FDA cleared U.S.-based evaluation for THIO as part of THIO-101. The trial drew a strong pace of enrollment in 2023 compared with previous NSCLC trials by other drug developers.

Dose Selection: A 180mg/cycle dose of THIO was selected for THIO-101 based on stronger efficacy compared to other doses. The selected dose showed unprecedented disease control and overall response rates for a NSCLC clinical trial.

Next Generation Telomere Targeting Agents: MAIA’s second-generation telomere-targeting program is engaged in research and development for new prodrugs derived from lipid-modified THIO molecules. Capable of acting through similar mechanisms of activity as THIO, the higher potency of these compounds at lower dose levels will be investigated further in 2024.

THIO is the only direct telomere targeting agent currently undergoing clinical development in the field of cancer drug discovery and treatment.

About THIO

THIO (6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine) is a first-in-class investigational telomere-targeting agent currently in clinical development to evaluate its activity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Telomeres, along with the enzyme telomerase, play a fundamental role in the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to current therapies. The modified nucleotide 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine (THIO) induces telomerase-dependent telomeric DNA modification, DNA damage responses, and selective cancer cell death. THIO-damaged telomeric fragments accumulate in cytosolic micronuclei and activates both innate (cGAS/STING) and adaptive (T-cell) immune responses. The sequential treatment with THIO followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors resulted in profound and persistent tumor regression in advanced, in vivo cancer models by induction of cancer type–specific immune memory. THIO is presently developed as a second or later line of treatment for NSCLC for patients that have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimen of existing checkpoint inhibitors.

About THIO-101, a Phase 2 Clinical Trial

THIO-101 is a multicenter, open-label, dose finding Phase 2 clinical trial. It is the first trial designed to evaluate THIO’s anti-tumor activity when followed by PD-(L)1 inhibition. The trial is testing the hypothesis that low doses of THIO administered prior to cemiplimab (Libtayo) will enhance and prolong immune response in patients with advanced NSCLC who previously did not respond or developed resistance and progressed after first-line treatment regimen containing another checkpoint inhibitor. The trial design has two primary objectives: (1) to evaluate the safety and tolerability of THIO administered as an anticancer compound and a priming immune activator (2) to assess the clinical efficacy of THIO using Overall Response Rate (ORR) as the primary clinical endpoint. Treatment with cemiplimab (Libtayo) followed by THIO has been generally well-tolerated to date in a heavily pre-treated population. For more information on this Phase II trial, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov using the identifier NCT05208944.

Certis Oncology Announces Closing of $10 Million Series C Fundraising Round

On January 17, 2024 Certis Oncology Solutions (Certis), a precision oncology and translational science company focused on combining AI-directed drug development with advanced functional testing, reported that it raised $10 million in a Series C funding round, bringing total raised to $42 million (Press release, Certis Oncology Solutions, JAN 17, 2024, View Source [SID1234639299]). The company also named John R. Tozzi Chairman of its Board of Directors.

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"We welcome John’s leadership and this additional investment at this critical inflection point for our company," said Peter Elman, President and CEO of Certis. "Now serving more than 120 oncology therapeutics companies, we have established the necessary business traction to see a clear path to profitable growth. At the same time, ongoing validation studies give us great confidence that our proprietary CertisAI predictive oncology platform soon will be able to deliver truly personalized cancer treatment at scale."

New Certis Board of Directors Chairman, John Tozzi, who also serves as the Certis Chairman of the Executive and Finance Committees, led the company’s last two internal funding rounds, as well as this most recent raise in which 94% of the company’s top 50 investors participated. "Our investors are passionate about the company’s patient-focused mission and 100% behind its three-pronged strategy for creating shareholder value: building a best-in-class bank of advanced tumor models for cancer research, developing disruptive AI-based intellectual property, and generating services revenue from very specialized contract research to help fund R&D," he said. In 1982 Mr. Tozzi founded Cambridge Investments LLC, an investment management firm, and continues to serve as its CEO and CIO.

Fostrox + Lenvima shows further improved response rates and time to progression in advanced liver cancer (HCC) at ASCO GI Symposium

On January 17, 2024 Medivir AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: MVIR), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for cancer in areas of high unmet medical need, reported further improved clinical benefit with fostrox + Lenvima as data from the ongoing phase 1b/2a study in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) will be presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) (American Society of Clinical Oncology) GI (Gastrointestinal Cancers) Symposium in San Francisco on January 19 (Press release, Medivir, JAN 17, 2024, View Source;lenvima-shows-further-improved-response-rates-and-time-to-progression-in-advanced-liver-cancer-hcc-at-asco-gi-symposium-302036736.html [SID1234639298]). The updated data further supports accelerating the fostrox development program to initiate a registrational phase 2b study in second-line HCC in 2024.

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– "We are excited by these results in a poor prognosis patient population where low disease control and response rates are usually seen. The updated data presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI has further strengthened our belief in the combination of fostrox + Lenvima as a potential treatment for patients with advanced HCC. In addition to the promising clinical benefit, the combination continues to be tolerable with a good safety profile enabling patients to stay on treatment long-term. It reinforces our confidence in advancing fostrox development and engaging with regulatory authorities to discuss final study design of the planned, registrational phase 2b study with accelerated approval intent," says Dr. Pia Baumann, CMO at Medivir.

The data is from a phase 1b/2a open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study evaluating the safety and efficacy with fostroxacitabine bralpamide (fostrox) in combination with Lenvima in patients for whom current first- or second-line treatment has proven ineffective or is not tolerable. The combination remains tolerable with no new, unexpected safety events. Only 5% have discontinued fostrox due to adverse events and lower need for dose reductions than expected. With a high and durable disease control rate of 61% at 18 weeks, the majority of patients in this study have continuous clinical benefit.

– "Hepatocellular cancer is a particularly complex disease," says Dr Maria Reig, Director of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) and the Liver Oncology Unit at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona in Spain, and investigator in the fostrox + Lenvima study. "A clear unmet need remains for safe and effective combination treatments. These data show that fostrox + Lenvima have encouraging results related to clinical outcome in patients with second-line advanced HCC without jeopardizing safety. I look forward to further explore the efficacy of fostrox added to Lenvima in a randomized, controlled trial."

The results from the phase 1b/2a study will be presented by Dr Maria Reig, poster number 476P, at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI on Friday January 19. Medivir will host a conference call to provide additional details from the study, comments on the data and the plans moving forward with fostrox, at 14.00 CET on January 23.

Conference call for investors, analysts and the media
Presenters from Medivir: Jens Lindberg, CEO, Pia Baumann, CMO and Fredrik Öberg, CSO.
Time: Tuesday January 23, 2024, at 14.00 CET

To access the webcast and information about the teleconference, please click HERE