On March 26, 2020 VBL Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VBLT) reported an encouraging outcome of the planned interim analysis in the OVAL study, a double-blind controlled potential-registration study in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (Press release, VBL Therapeutics, MAR 26, 2020, View Sourcenews-releases/news-release-details/vbl-therapeutics-announces-positive-outcome-interim-analysis" target="_blank" title="View Sourcenews-releases/news-release-details/vbl-therapeutics-announces-positive-outcome-interim-analysis" rel="nofollow">View Source [SID1234555850]). The OVAL independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC), reviewed un-blinded data and assessed CA-125 response, measured according to the GCIG criteria, in the first 60 enrolled subjects evaluable for CA-125 analysis. The DSMC confirmed that the study met the interim pre-specified efficacy criterion, of an absolute percentage advantage of 10% or higher CA-125 response rate for the VB-111 treatment arm, and recommended the study continuance.
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The overall CA-125 response rate in the first 60 randomized evaluable patients is 53%. Assuming a balanced randomization, the response rate in the treatment arm (VB-111 in addition to weekly paclitaxel) is 58% or higher. In patients who had post-dosing fever, which is a marker for VB-111 treatment, the response rate is 69%.
"The encouraging interim readout in this randomized controlled study, together with the promising data seen in the earlier VB-111 Phase 2 are signals for the potential of VB-111 in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, an indication with a major unmet need," said the Chairman of the OVAL study Steering Committee, Bradley J. Monk, M.D., FACS, FACOG, Co‐Director of GOG Partners, Arizona Oncology (US Oncology Network) and Professor, Gynecologic Oncology at University of Arizona, Creighton University, Medical Director of US Oncology Research Gynecology program in Phoenix, Arizona.
"We are very pleased by the outcome of this interim analysis, which demonstrates the potential benefit of VB-111 over standard-of-care in a randomized-controlled study," said Dror Harats, MD, Chief Executive Officer of VBL Therapeutics. "The OVAL Phase 3 interim data are at least as good as the CA-125 response results observed in our VB-111 Phase 2 study, which enrolled a similar patient population. This encouraging interim result adds to the promising data seen with VB-111 across our Phase 2 studies in multiple indications".
In the previously reported Phase 2 study of VB-111 in platinum resistant ovarian cancer, 58% of the patients treated with VB-111 and paclitaxel demonstrated a CA-125 response. Those patients with a CA-125 response demonstrated a median overall survival of 808 days, versus 351 days for those patients without CA-125 response. The DSMC recommendation that the OVAL trial proceed is not assurance that the trial will meet its primary endpoint. The primary endpoint of the OVAL Phase 3 study is overall survival, which currently approved therapies for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer have thus far failed to demonstrate.
Conference Call Information
VBL will host a live KOL and Update Call on the OVAL Phase 3 trial at 2:00 p.m. ET today. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-9208 (domestic, toll-free) and 1-201-493-6784 (toll/international) or Israel Toll Free 1-809-406-247 and referring to conference ID 13700764. A webcast of the conference call will be available by clicking here. The archived webcast will be available in the Investors Relations section of the VBL Therapeutics website at View Source after the conference call.
About the OVAL study (NCT03398655)
OVAL is an international Phase 3 randomized pivotal potential registration clinical trial that compares a combination of VB-111 and paclitaxel to placebo plus paclitaxel, in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The study is planned to enroll approximately 400 patients. OVAL is conducted in collaboration with the GOG Foundation, Inc., an independent international non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting excellence in the quality and integrity of clinical and basic scientific research in the field of gynecologic malignancies.
About VB-111 (ofranergene obadenovec)
VB-111 is a first-in-class, targeted anti-cancer gene-therapy agent that is being developed to treat a wide range of solid tumors. VB-111 is a unique biologic agent that uses a dual mechanism to target solid tumors. Its mechanism combines blockade of tumor vasculature with an anti-tumor immune response. VB-111 is administered as an IV infusion once every 6-8 weeks. It has been observed to be well-tolerated in >300 cancer patients and demonstrated activity signals in an "all comers" Phase 1 trial as well as in three tumor-specific Phase 2 studies.VB-111 has received an Orphan Designation for the treatment of ovarian cancer from the European Commission. VB-111 has also received orphan drug designation in both the US and Europe, and fast track designation in the US for prolongation of survival in patients with rGBM. VB-111 successfully demonstrated proof-of-concept and survival benefit in Phase 2 clinical trials in radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer and recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (NCT01711970).