Precision oncology company shows positive results in breast cancer trial

Pharma News: Sydney-based oncology company reveals final results of its collaborative research program with the eminent cancer researcher, Associate Professor Nikki Verrills of The University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute.

Race Oncology’s Bisantrene is a small molecule anti-cancer drug which has potential as both a low dose, highly targeted precision oncology agent and a high dose, less cardiotoxic chemotherapeutic.

The research program identified combinations of existing breast cancer drugs which when paired with Bisantrene would show equivalence or better efficacy to existing treatment options, but with reduced side effects. Activity of Bisantrene alone against a range of breast cancer genetic subtypes, including those resistant to standard of care drug treatments, was also explored.

The interim results demonstrated that Bisantrene was an effective chemotherapeutic agent across a wide range of genetically distinct breast cancer subtypes. Bisantrene was able to kill some cancer subtypes that were resistant to the currently used anthracyclines doxorubicin and epirubicin. Importantly, Bisantrene showed near identical additive benefit when used in combination with cyclophosphamide to that seen with either doxorubicin or epirubicin.

Race’s CSO Dr Daniel Tillett commented “The final results highlight Bisantrene’s potential use in breast cancers resistant to current treatments. Not only does Bisantrene offer a potentially safer alternative to existing chemotherapeutic drugs, it may also help patients who have exhausted other treatment options.”

Race’s CEO Mr Phillip Lynch added “This new research underscores our confidence in moving Bisantrene into Phase II breast cancer trials and continues to build on the body of evidence we have supporting Bisantrene’s broader applications. Our aim here is to bring a valuable new treatment forward for the management of breast cancer.”

Race Oncology also has near term opportunities in seeking FDA approval for Bisantrene in a number of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) indications.