On August 6, 2015 Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO) reported the Pancreas Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has initiated a clinical research study of Halozyme’s investigational new drug, PEGPH20 in pancreatic cancer patients who are candidates for potentially curative surgery (Press release, Halozyme, AUG 6, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507081]). The trial will be conducted within the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! The Phase 2 study will investigate PEGPH20 in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (ABRAXANE) in patients with borderline resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The study will track the progress of up to 36 patients through chemotherapy and surgical treatment.
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PEGPH20 (PEGylated recombinant human hyaluronidase) targets the degradation of hyaluronan (HA), a chain of natural sugars that can accumulate around cancer cells, inhibiting other therapies. By degrading HA, PEGPH20 may increase the access of co-administered chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic agents.
"This is a unique study to determine if PEGPH20, when administered in combination with other cancer-fighting drugs, will better prepare patients for surgery," said Margaret Tempero, MD, director of the UCSF Pancreas Center. "We will observe outcomes of our patients to learn if this combination therapy with PEGPH20 could make a difference in potentially curative surgery."
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting this year, interim results of the randomized Phase 2 Study 202 clinical study of PEGPH20 with ABRAXANE and gemcitabine showed a doubling of progression-free survival and an improvement trend in overall survival in high HA metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. In addition, the potential risk profile, including the rate of thromboembolic events, were also presented.
"We believe PEGPH20 may improve the effectiveness of co-administered cancer therapies, and both our preclinical data and clinical studies in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients are showing encouraging results," said Halozyme Chief Medical Officer, Athena Countouriotis, MD. "We are very pleased that independent scientists within academia are interested in focusing on the tumor microenvironment and the potential benefits of PEGPH20 in another area of pancreatic cancer."
About HDFCCC at UCSF
The Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UC San Francisco is a member of the national NCI-funded Cancer Center network focusing on research. The HDFCCC combines basic science, clinical research, epidemiology/cancer control and patient care from throughout the UCSF system. For more information, visit: View Source
About UCSF Pancreas Center
The UCSF Pancreas Center treats patients with a wide range of pancreatic disorders from cancer and benign tumors to pancreatitis. Our team includes specialists in anesthesia, gastroenterology, neurology, nursing, psychology and surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the management of pain. Our patients also have the opportunity to participate in research to test the latest experimental therapies. For more information, visit: View Source