On June 12, 2015 Agios Pharmaceuticals reported new data from the ongoing Phase 1 study evaluating single agent AG-120, a first-in-class, oral, selective, potent inhibitor of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1), in advanced hematologic malignancies presented at the 20th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) taking place June 11-14, 2015 in Vienna (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, JUN 12, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2058807 [SID:1234505403]).

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Data as of May 1, 2015 from 57 patients with advanced hematologic malignancies showed durable clinical activity and a favorable safety profile, with 25 patients on study as of the analysis. The study had an overall response rate of 31 percent (16 of 52 response-evaluable patients) and a complete remission rate of 15 percent (8 of 52 response-evaluable patients). Data continue to show durable clinical activity for AG-120, with responding patients on treatment for up to 11 months, and an estimated 79 percent of responders on treatment at three months. The overall safety profile remains consistent with 40 additional patients treated as of the last analysis.

"The durable clinical activity observed with AG-120 in such a refractory patient population is impressive," said Stéphane de Botton, M.D., the principal investigator at the Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. "These findings provide additional evidence that AG-120 can inhibit the IDH1-mutant protein allowing for cancer cells to appropriately mature. AG-120 has the potential to improve outcomes in patients with IDH1 mutant cancers."

"These encouraging data represent the tremendous progress to date in our AG-120 program, as this therapy is proving to be well tolerated and effective, with an objective response rate of 31 percent of treated patients and duration on study up to 11 months," said Chris Bowden, M.D., chief medical officer of Agios. "Along with the insight gained from the AG-221 program, we are excited to move the AG-120 program forward rapidly with our partner Celgene. Our goal is to reach patients in need quickly, as evidenced by the recent announcement of our plans to initiate three expansion cohorts as part of the Phase 1 study."

About the Ongoing Phase 1 Trial for AG-120 in Advanced Hematologic Malignancies

AG-120 is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1 trial in patients with AML and other IDH1-mutant positive advanced hematologic malignancies. Data reported are from patients receiving AG-120 administered from 100 mg to 1,200 mg total daily doses as of May 1, 2015. The median age of these patients is 68 (ranging from 38-89). Treatment with AG-120 showed substantial reduction in the plasma levels of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxglutarate (2HG) to the level observed in healthy volunteers.

This new data reflects responses in the evaluable population, which includes all patients with a pre-AG-120 screening assessment and day 28 or later response assessment or an earlier discontinuation for any reason. Patients with a screening assessment who were still on treatment, but had not reached the day 28 disease assessment, were excluded.

Safety Data

A safety analysis was conducted for all 57 treated patients as of May 1, 2015.

The majority of adverse events reported by investigators were mild to moderate, with the most common being fatigue, diarrhea, pyrexia and nausea.

35 serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported, the majority being disease related, with four cases of leukocytosis potentially related to AG-120.

A maximum tolerated dose (MTD) has not been reached.

13 deaths were reported, and all were considered unrelated to AG-120.

Efficacy Data

Sixteen out of 52 response-evaluable patients achieved investigator-assessed objective responses for an overall response rate of 31 percent as of May 1, 2015.

Of the 16 patients who achieved an objective response, there were eight complete remissions (CR), one complete remission with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp), three marrow complete remissions (mCR) and four partial remissions (PR).

Responses were durable, with duration on study drug as long as 11 months and ongoing. As of the analysis date, an estimated 79 percent of responders were on treatment for three months or longer, and 50 percent of responders were on treatment for six months or longer.

Upcoming Milestones for AG-120

Agios studies in IDH1-mutated solid and hematological tumors are ongoing or planned for 2015/2016 to further support the speed and breadth of development of AG-120.

Initiate three expansion cohorts to evaluate AG-120 in 175 patients with IDH1-mutated advanced hematologic malignancies (125 in relapsed and/or refractory AML, 25 in untreated AML and 25 in basket IDH1-mutant positive cancers).

Present first data from the Phase 1 trial in advanced solid tumors at a medical conference in the second half of 2015.

Begin combination trials to evaluate AG-120 as a potential frontline treatment of IDH1-mutated AML and a broad range of hematologic malignancies in the second half of 2015.

Intend to initiate a global registration-enabling Phase 3 study in AML patients that harbor an IDH1 mutation in the first half of 2016.