On August 2, 2017 Polaris Group reported that the first patient has been dosed in its randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind phase 2/3 trial (ATOMIC-meso) in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients (Press release, Polaris Pharmaceuticals, AUG 2, 2017, View Source [SID1234526283]). Patients will be randomized to receive ADI‑PEG 20 (pegylated arginine deiminase) or placebo in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin (PemCis), the standard first-line treatment for MPM (NCT02029690). In addition to this global phase 2/3 study, Polaris Group is currently conducting multiple phase 1 studies, including ADI‑PEG 20 in combination with PemCis in non-small cell lung carcinoma, glioblastoma, and uveal melanoma, in combination with pembrolizumab in advanced solid tumors, and in combination with FOLFOX in hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer.

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"ADI‑PEG 20 in combination with chemotherapy agents have demonstrated encouraging efficacy signals for several oncology indications in multiple phase 1 trials. We are working to pursue further investigations so we can bring effective treatments to more patients", said John Bomalaski, M.D., Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs at Polaris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

About ADI‑PEG 20

ADI‑PEG 20 is a biologic being developed by Polaris Group to treat cancers carrying a major metabolic defect that renders them unable to internally synthesize arginine. Because arginine is essential for protein synthesis and survival of cells, these cancer cells become dependent upon the external supply of arginine to survive and grow. ADI‑PEG 20 is designed to deplete the external supply of arginine, causing arginine-dependent cancer cells to die while leaving the patient’s normal cells unharmed. Multiple cancers have been reported to have a high degree of arginine-dependency and can potentially be treated with ADI‑PEG 20.