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Clinical Trial News

Verastem Oncology Announces Positive Interim Results and FDA Submission for Cancer Therapies

  • Verastem Oncology reported an 83% overall response rate in a Phase 1/2 trial of avutometinib plus defactinib with chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer.
  • The company initiated a rolling NDA submission to the FDA for avutometinib and defactinib in recurrent KRAS mutant low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC).
  • A Phase 3 trial is underway comparing the combination therapy to standard chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for recurrent LGSOC.

FDA Expands Approval for GSK's Arexvy RSV Vaccine to Adults Aged 50-59 at Increased Risk

  • The FDA has approved GSK's Arexvy vaccine for adults aged 50-59 at increased risk of RSV, making it the first RSV vaccine for this population.
  • This approval is based on Phase III trial data demonstrating non-inferior immune responses in the 50-59 age group compared to those 60 and older.
  • Approximately 13 million adults in the U.S. aged 50-59 with underlying conditions such as COPD, asthma, heart failure, and diabetes could benefit.
  • Regulatory applications for Arexvy's label expansion are under review in the EU, Japan, and other countries, with trials ongoing for adults aged 18-49.

FDA Approves Moderna's mResvia, Third RSV Vaccine for Older Adults

  • The FDA has approved Moderna's mResvia vaccine for the prevention of RSV in adults aged 60 and older, making it the third approved RSV vaccine.
  • mResvia, like Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, utilizes mRNA technology to target the prefusion F protein of RSV, offering a prefilled syringe for easier administration.
  • Moderna anticipates the RSV vaccine market to reach $6-8 billion in annual sales, with mResvia potentially gaining market share based on efficacy and ease of use.
  • Clinical trials showed mResvia to be approximately 84% effective against RSV-related disease with two or more symptoms, with effectiveness waning to 63% after 8.6 months.

Hormonal Gel Shows Promise in Phase 2 Trial for Male Contraception

  • A phase 2 trial of a novel hormonal gel containing testosterone and Nestorone demonstrated 86% sperm suppression in men after 12 weeks of daily application.
  • The gel's faster-than-expected action, achieving effective contraception in approximately eight weeks, is attributed to the combination of testosterone and Nestorone.
  • Researchers are now evaluating the gel's efficacy in preventing pregnancy within committed, monogamous relationships, with couples using it as their sole contraceptive method.
  • Several non-hormonal male contraceptive options are also in development, including pills and injectable gels, addressing the growing demand for diverse birth control choices.

Study Reveals Impact of Cholesterol Changes on Cardiovascular Disease Risk

A recent analysis of the PROMINENT trial and the Copenhagen General Population Study highlights the effects of changes in remnant cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B on the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, showing neutral outcomes despite significant lipid alterations.

Novel Alzheimer's Therapies Show Promise in Slowing Disease Progression

  • Remternetug demonstrates potential for faster amyloid clearance compared to existing immunotherapies, with ongoing Phase 3 trials evaluating subcutaneous administration.
  • Buntanetap shows early promise in improving memory and reducing tau protein levels, with plans for a larger Phase 3 trial to confirm efficacy in early-stage Alzheimer's.
  • Semaglutide, typically used for diabetes and weight loss, is under investigation for its potential to improve insulin sensitivity in the brain and slow Alzheimer's progression.
  • These drugs are currently experimental and not yet available on the NHS, pending regulatory approval and cost-effectiveness evaluations.

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics Initiates Phase 3 VELA Program for Sonelokimab in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

  • MoonLake Immunotherapeutics has commenced its Phase 3 VELA program to evaluate sonelokimab for moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
  • The VELA program consists of two identical trials, VELA-1 and VELA-2, enrolling 800 patients to assess the efficacy and safety of sonelokimab 120mg versus placebo.
  • The primary endpoint for the VELA program is HiSCR75 at week 16, with topline results expected by mid-2025, potentially offering a new treatment option for HS patients.
  • Sonelokimab, a Nanobody®, targets IL-17A/A, IL-17A/F, and IL-17F/F dimers, aiming to provide a more effective treatment for this debilitating chronic skin condition.

Upadacitinib Outperforms Dupilumab in Landmark LEVEL UP Trial for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

  • The phase 3b/4 LEVEL UP trial demonstrated upadacitinib's superior efficacy over dupilumab, with 19.9% versus 8.9% of patients achieving both EASI 90 and minimal itch at week 16 (P<.0001).
  • While treatment-emergent adverse events were more common with upadacitinib (65.3% vs 52.7%), rates of severe adverse events and treatment discontinuations remained comparable between both therapies.
  • Principal investigator Dr. Jonathan Silverberg emphasized these findings provide important context for clinical decision-making, highlighting upadacitinib's ability to address unmet needs in atopic dermatitis treatment.

Moderna's Combination Flu-COVID Vaccine Shows Superior Immune Response in Phase 3 Trial

  • Moderna's mRNA-1083 combination vaccine demonstrated significantly higher immune responses against influenza strains and SARS-CoV-2 compared to standard vaccines in adults 50 years and older.
  • The Phase 3 trial met all primary endpoints with particularly strong results in adults 65+ where the combination vaccine outperformed Fluzone HD for influenza and Spikevax for COVID-19 protection.
  • The vaccine showed an acceptable safety profile with mostly mild to moderate side effects, positioning Moderna as the first company with positive Phase 3 data for a combination respiratory vaccine.

Leqembi's Slow Adoption: Challenges and Progress in Alzheimer's Treatment

  • Leqembi, the first FDA-approved drug shown to slow Alzheimer's progression, has experienced slower-than-expected adoption despite its groundbreaking status in treating the disease.
  • Healthcare systems face significant implementation challenges, including establishing diagnostic protocols, monitoring systems for side effects, and navigating complex insurance coverage issues for the $26,000-per-year treatment.
  • Despite modest clinical benefits and potential side effects like brain swelling and bleeding, some patients report improvements in short-term memory, offering hope as researchers continue developing easier administration methods and complementary treatments.

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