Clinical Trial News
Lecanemab PK/PD Analysis Shows Effective Amyloid Reduction in Early Alzheimer's
- Lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody, demonstrates well-characterized pharmacokinetics in early Alzheimer's disease patients, reducing amyloid plaques.
- PK/PD models reveal that bi-weekly 10 mg/kg dosing of lecanemab leads to faster and greater amyloid reduction compared to monthly dosing.
- Simulations suggest slow amyloid re-accumulation post-treatment, with a recovery half-life of approximately 4 years.
- The study supports using PK/PD models to optimize lecanemab dosing in future clinical trials for early Alzheimer's disease.
Initial TNF-α Levels Predict Infliximab Response in Pediatric Crohn's Disease
- A recent study reveals that initial levels of TNF-α can predict the treatment response to Infliximab (IFX) in pediatric Crohn's Disease (CD).
- Higher initial TNF-α concentrations correlate with lower IFX trough concentrations, potentially leading to suboptimal therapeutic effects.
- A TNF-α cutoff value of 27.6 pg/mL was identified, above which higher IFX doses may be needed to maintain therapeutic concentrations.
- Measuring initial cytokine levels could help personalize IFX dosing strategies, improving treatment outcomes for pediatric CD patients.
Experts Call for Reform in Experimental Treatment Access: Balancing Patient Rights with Sustainable Development
- Leading healthcare experts advocate for a pre-approval access platform to streamline experimental treatment availability while maintaining safety oversight and clinical research integrity.
- Industry veterans highlight the critical need for reimbursement mechanisms to incentivize pharmaceutical companies' participation in pre-approval access programs across the United States.
- The debate around Right-to-Try laws has created an opportunity to reshape drug development systems, with experts proposing enhanced Phase 2 trials supplemented by real-world data.
FDA Grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Affinity Enhanced T-Cell Therapy in Synovial Sarcoma
The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc for its affinity enhanced T-cell therapy targeting NY-ESO in synovial sarcoma, highlighting the therapy's potential in treating this form of cancer. The designation is based on promising results from a phase I/II trial, showing significant response rates among patients.
Adeno-associated Virus Gene Therapy for Hemophilia: A New Therapeutic Paradigm
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy is emerging as a promising treatment for hemophilia A and B, offering the potential for long-term factor expression and reduced bleeding episodes. This article reviews the clinical development of AAV gene therapy, its efficacy, safety considerations, and the challenges of pre-existing immunity to AAV vectors.
Highlighted Clinical Trials:
Bayer
Posted 11/7/2018
CSL Behring
Posted 6/10/2015
NCT03432520Active, Not Recruiting
Spark Therapeutics, Inc.
Posted 8/14/2018
BioMarin Pharmaceutical
Posted 3/14/2018
Pfizer
Posted 6/21/2017
Spark Therapeutics, Inc.
Posted 1/26/2017
CSL Behring
Posted 6/27/2018
University College, London
Posted 6/14/2017
Pfizer
Posted 6/22/2017
BioMarin Pharmaceutical
Posted 9/28/2015
BioMarin Pharmaceutical
Posted 12/19/2017
Baxalta now part of Shire
Posted 3/31/2018
University College, London
Posted 12/5/2017
Synergia Medical Secures €9 Million in Series B Funding for Epilepsy Treatment Innovation
Synergia Medical, a preclinical medical device company, has successfully raised €9 million in Series B funding. This financial boost will support the company's preparation for First-In-Human clinical trials of its NAO.VNS device, aimed at treating drug-resistant epilepsy, and the submission of an Investigational Device Exemption to the FDA in 2023.
FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Mersana Therapeutics' XMT-1660 for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment
Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to XMT-1660, a novel treatment for adult patients with advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This designation aims to expedite the development and review of XMT-1660, which has shown promising anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies.
Low-Dose Interleukin-2 Shows Promise in Slowing Motor Neurone Disease Progression in Landmark MIROCALS Trial
- The MIROCALS clinical trial demonstrated that low-dose interleukin-2 (IL2LD) is safe and reduced the risk of death by over 40% in approximately 80% of motor neurone disease patients with lower levels of a specific biomarker.
- The groundbreaking study provides compelling evidence that modifying the immune system could be an effective strategy for altering MND/ALS progression, potentially adding to the disease-modifying effects of riluzole.
- While not yet licensed for MND treatment, IL2LD increases regulatory T cells to reduce inflammation, and ILTOO Pharma has secured exclusive licensing rights to pursue regulatory approval for this novel therapeutic approach.
Teclistamab Shows Promise in Heavily Pretreated Multiple Myeloma
- In the MajesTEC-1 trial, teclistamab demonstrated a nearly two-thirds partial response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
- The median progression-free survival with teclistamab was approximately 11 months, with responses lasting a median of 18 months in heavily pretreated patients.
- Teclistamab, a bispecific antibody targeting BCMA and CD3, offers a potential alternative to CAR T-cell therapy with logistical advantages.
- The most common side effects of teclistamab were infections and cytokine release syndrome, necessitating careful monitoring and management.
Oleolive Receives NCI Grant to Study Propentofylline for Glioblastoma Treatment
- Oleolive, Inc. has been awarded a $400,000 STTR grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate propentofylline's potential in glioblastoma treatment.
- Propentofylline, a repurposed drug, will be studied for its ability to enhance the chemosensitivity of glioblastoma tumor cells, potentially improving patient outcomes.
- The research aims to address the urgent need for effective glioblastoma therapies, as current treatments offer limited survival benefits to patients.
- This project could lead to a therapeutic strategy to extend survival for GBM patients beyond the current average of 1.25 years.