On May 6, 2024 Calliditas Therapeutics AB (Nasdaq: CALT) (Nasdaq Stockholm: CALTX) ("Calliditas") reported data from the proof-of-concept Phase 2 trial evaluating setanaxib, its lead NOX enzyme inhibitor, in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) (Press release, Calliditas Therapeutics, MAY 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234642704]). The analysis showed statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival (PFS), as well as in overall survival (OS), with statistically significant changes in tumor biology consistent with the mechanism of action of setanaxib.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
The trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 2 study investigating the effect of setanaxib 800mg twice daily in conjunction with pembrolizumab 200mg IV, administered every 3 weeks (a standard treatment regimen for SCCHN) with the full dataset reflecting all patients having had the opportunity to complete at least 15 weeks of treatment. The basis for the analysis consisted of a dataset of 55 patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN and moderate or high CAF-density tumors (Cancer Associated Fibroblasts). A tumor biopsy was taken prior to randomization and then again after at least 9 weeks of treatment.
The treatment groups were well-balanced with no clinically relevant differences between the groups observed at baseline. Patients treated with pembrolizumab and setanaxib showed statistically significant improvements in key secondary endpoints, such as progression-free survival, (PFS median 5 months versus 2.9 months; Hazard ratio= 0.58) and statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS at 6 months 92% vs 68%; OS at 9 months 88% vs 58%; Hazard ratio=0.45) compared to patients treated with pembrolizumab and placebo. There was also an improvement in disease-control rate in setanaxib-treated patients, with 70% in the setanaxib arm showing a best response of at least stable disease compared to 52% in the placebo arm. No significant difference in the primary endpoint of best percentage change from baseline in tumor size was observed. Transcriptomic analysis of tumor biopsy samples showed a statistically significant increase in CD8+ T-cells in tumor tissue from patients treated with setanaxib, indicating an increase in tumor immunological activity consistent with the mechanism of action of setanaxib. The tolerability of setanaxib when given with pembrolizumab was generally good, with no new safety signals identified.
"It is very encouraging to see statistical significance on important clinical outcomes in this relatively small study, which provides an excellent basis for advancing setanaxib in this hard-to-treat population," said Kevin Harrington, Professor in Biological Cancer Therapies at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) London, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, and Investigator on the trial.
"This is a very exciting result which provides clinical evidence of the mode of action of setanaxib in line with our thesis of its anti-fibrotic effects, and with results beyond our expectations for a study of this size. It is exciting that we now have positive clinical evidence in support of our first in class NOX platform," said CEO Renée Aguiar-Lucander.
"I am delighted that we have seen statistical significance and clinically meaningful improvements in longer term outcomes of PFS and OS in this indication. I’d like to extend my thanks to investigators, clinical trial site staff, and most importantly patients, who have all contributed to this important study," said CMO Richard Philipson.
The company is conducting additional clinical trials with setanaxib and will read out its Phase 2 trial in PBC (primary biliary cholangitis) in Q3 of 2024 and is expecting the investigator led Phase 2 trial in IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) to provide top line data in Q4 of 2024, subject to recruitment. There is also an ongoing Phase 2 proof of concept trial in Alport syndrome, which is expected to deliver top line data in 1H, 2025.
The company plans to arrange an R&D day in Stockholm later this month to provide additional details regarding the Phase 2 trial and other data supporting the mechanism of action of setanaxib. Further details will be provided by way of a press release.