Shuttle Pharmaceuticals has announced the enrollment of the first patient in its Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ropidoxuridine for the treatment of glioblastoma. The trial is being conducted at the UVA Cancer Center.
The Phase 2 trial is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of ropidoxuridine in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. Glioblastoma has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of approximately 15 months with standard treatment.
Ropidoxuridine is a novel nucleoside analog being developed to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation therapy. The drug is designed to be administered prior to radiation, potentially improving the therapeutic ratio and reducing the required radiation dose. Preclinical studies have suggested that ropidoxuridine can significantly enhance the effects of radiation in glioblastoma cells.
The trial is enrolling patients with recurrent glioblastoma who have previously undergone standard treatment, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Patients will receive ropidoxuridine in combination with radiation therapy, and the primary endpoint of the trial is to assess the objective response rate. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety.
"We are excited to begin this Phase 2 trial of ropidoxuridine in glioblastoma patients," said Dr. John Smith, lead investigator of the trial at UVA Cancer Center. "Ropidoxuridine has shown promising preclinical activity, and we are hopeful that it will provide a new treatment option for patients with this devastating disease."
BioCardia also announced the completion of its Phase III randomized double-blind controlled trial of autologous cell therapy for ischemic heart failure.
