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Aeterna Zentaris: Phase 2 Data for Perifosine as Monotherapy for Renal Cell Carcinoma Published in June Issue of Cancer
QUÉBEC CITY, June 18, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX:&#...
About this update from Cosciens Biopharma Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n\n\nQUÉBEC CITY, June 18, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:\n AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the \"Company\") today announced that data from two\n Phase 2 trials in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) for the Company's oral\n anticancer drug, perifosine, have been published in the June 2012 issue\n of Cancer, a publication of the American Cancer Society. The article is\n titled, \"Two Phase 2 Trials of the Novel Akt Inhibitor Perifosine in Patients\n with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma After Progression on Vascular\n Endothelial Growth Factor-Targeted Therapy\", D.C. Cho, T.E. Hutson, W. Samlowski, P. Sportelli, B. Somer, P.\n Richards, J.A. Sosman, I. Puzanov, M.D. Michaelson, K.T. Flaherty, R.A.\n Figlin and N.J. Vogelzang. It outlines perifosine's activity as\n monotherapy in patients with advanced RCC, which was comparable to\n current second-line agents. Both objective tumor responses and\n prolonged disease stability were observed, and perifosine was well\n tolerated at the 100mg daily dose used in this trial. Finally, the\n authors conclude that this compound may be worthy of further\n investigation in this indication in combination with available\n therapies.\n\n\nThe Studies \n\n\nTwo single-arm, open-label Phase 2 trials (#228 and #231) were conducted\n to assess the efficacy and safety of perifosine as monotherapy in\n patients with advanced RCC who had failed on previous vascular\n endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy.\n\n\nIn the #228 trial, 24 patients with advanced RCC received oral\n perifosine (100 mg daily). The #231 trial enrolled 2 groups that\n received daily oral perifosine (100 mg daily): Group A comprised 32\n patients who had received no prior mTOR inhibitor, and Group B\n comprised 18 patients who had received 1 prior mTOR inhibitor.\n\n\nResults\n\n\nIn the #228 trial, 1 patient achieved a partial response and 11 patients\n had stable disease as their best response. The median progression-free\n survival was 14.2 weeks.\n\n\nIn the #231 trial, 5 patients achieved a partial response and 16\n patients had stable disease as their best response. The median\n progression-free survival was 14 weeks both in patient with and without\n prior mTOR inhibitor therapy.\n\n\nOverall, perifosine was well tolerated, and there were very few grade 3\n and 4 events. ...