Rise in Biotech Innovations Generating Hope as Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rates Climb
FN Media Group Presents USA News Group News Commentary
VANCOUVER, BC, March 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- USA News Group - Optimism is on the rise as the American Cancer Society is reporting that the five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with pancreatic has increased to 12%—representing an increase of 1% over the prior year. While 1% may not seem like much, it certainly will mean a lot to the families of the 641 more people that will enjoy life's moments for at least 5 years or more after their devastating diagnosis. The improvement marks the first time since 2017 that this survival rate rose for two years in a row, and 2023 is showing promise in the clinic, as new developments at the end of 2022 and in the opening of this year are keeping the momentum rolling, including from biotech companies such as Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ:ONCY) (TSX:ONC), Biomea Fusion, Inc. (NASDAQ:BMEA), AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE-American:AIM), AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN), and Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS).
One of the most promising series of events in pancreatic cancer treatment came at the tail end of 2022, as biotechnology company Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ:ONCY) (TSX:ONC) received a Fast Track Designation (FTD) from the FDA for its flagship asset, pelareorep, a first-in-class intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
The FTD was issued shortly after Oncolytics reported interim clinical data in November showing a 69% objective response rate (ORR), including a complete response in a cohort of first-line advanced/metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients in Oncolytics' phase 1/2 GOBLET study.
Pelareorep's FTD was given for the treatment of advanced/metastatic PDAC, in combination with the chemotherapies gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel, and Roche Holdings AG's (OTCMKTS:RHHBY) anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor, atezolizumab.
"Receiving this Fast Track designation is an important accomplishment that speaks to the impressive response rate and the durability of the response in our PDAC study, and it also reflects the pressing need to improve upon the standard of care in this indication," stated Dr. Matt Coffey, President and CEO of Oncolytics. "With our core programs in breast and pancreatic cancer both nearing pivotal trials, and eligible for the Fast Track program's numerous benefits, we believe we are at a crucial point in Oncolytics' evolution and are excited for what's ahead."
It's worth noting that pelareorep's ORR of 69% is nearly triple the average ORR of ~25% reported in historical control trials evaluating gemcitabine in combination with nab-paclitaxel in pancreatic cancer. However, it was the complete response that came in that was pleasantly unexpected.
"We were particularly excited to see a partial response deepen into a confirmed complete response as of the latest data cut, since this further indicates potentially durable anti-cancer effects from the combination therapy," said Thomas C. Heineman, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Oncolytics Biotech.
The FDA's Fast Track process was designed to facilitate the development and to expedite the review of investigational drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Drugs that receive Fast Track designation may be eligible for more frequent communications and meetings with the FDA to discuss the drug's development plan. Drugs with Fast Track designation may also qualify for accelerated approval and priority review if relevant criteria are met.
When it comes to the use of what are known as KRAS inhibitors, Biomea Fusion, Inc. (NASDAQ:BMEA) recently announced that the first patient has been dosed in the phase 1/2b COVALENT-102 trial, examining BMF-219 in adults with KRAS-mutated unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
This work builds off of pre-clinical studies (meaning those that were not done in humans), suggesting the BMF-219 broadly inhibits the KRAS mutation, which could play a role in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
"We are eager to explore the potential of BMF-219 as a pan-KRAS inhibitor in patients with three of the most prominent KRAS-mutant solid tumor types, including those with tumors that have failed to respond to investigational and approved mutation-specific KRAS inhibitors," said Dr. Steve Morris, Chief Medical Officer of Biomea.
The initial goal of the COVALENT-102 trial is to determine the proper dosing of the drug. Then, that dose will be used in a larger patient population, where safety and tolerability will be studied. BMF-219 will be administered either once daily or twice daily in 28-day cycles.
Immuno-pharma company AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE-American:AIM) recently announced it has entered into pancreatic cancer clinical research agreements with AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) and Erasmus Medical Cancer.
Under the agreement, Erasmus MC is planning to perform an investigator-initiated clinical study, entitled "Combining anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab with TLR-3 agonist rintatolimod in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for therapy effect. DURIPANC Study," in which it will use both AstraZeneca's durvalumab and AIM ImmunoTech's ampligen as study drugs.
Ampligen is AIM's dsRNA drug currently being developed for globally important cancers. Ampligen has shown therapeutic synergy with checkpoint inhibitors, including increasing survival rates and efficacy, in the treatment of animal tumors when used in combination with checkpoint blockade therapies.
"In the previously conducted human clinical studies, Ampligen has shown synergistic potential with PD-1 checkpoint blockade therapeutics," said Thomas K. Equels, MS JD, CEO of AIM. "We are thrilled to take this important step forward in clinical development in collaboration with AstraZeneca and its PDL-1 therapy, durvalumab, and further unlock the potential of Ampligen for the treatment of pancreatic cancer where there remains significant unmet need."
New data presented at the 2022 ESMO Congress showed that the use of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with lutetium Lu 177 dotatate (Lutathera) improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with unresectable, progressive neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors, according to data from the Phase 2 OCCLURANDOM trial (NCT02230176).
In January 2023, Novartis also posted it is recruiting for a Randomized, Double-blind, Phase III Study, Comparing NIS793 in Combination With Gemcitabine and Nab-paclitaxel Versus (vs.) Placebo Combined With Gemcitabine and Nab-paclitaxel for First Line Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) - daNIS-2.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NIS793 in combination with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel versus gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel and placebo in first-line mPDAC, and the study aims to explore whether blockade of Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) in combination with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel can reduce fibrosis in PDAC, restore chemo-sensitivity and ultimately lead to improvements in overall survival (OS) and other clinically relevant outcomes.
For more information please visit: https://usanewsgroup.com/2022/11/27/market-uncertainty-is-creating-opportunities-that-have-somehow-been-overlooked/
Article Source:
USA News Group
http://USAnewsgroup.com [email protected]
DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Oncolytics Biotech Inc. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. which were purchased in the open market, and reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by Oncolytics Biotech Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, we currently own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. and will buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles.
While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.
USA News Group is Source of all content listed above. FN Media Group, LLC (FNM), is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with USA News Group or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by USA News Group are solely those of USA News Group and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM was not compensated by any public company mentioned herein to disseminate this press release.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.
Media Contact Information:
FN Media Group, LLC
Media Contact e-mail:
[email protected]
U.S. Phone: +1(954)345-0611
SOURCE USA News Group
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article