New Combination Therapy Shows Hope for Advanced Liver Cancer Patients

Introduction to the New Therapy

Researchers have revealed promising new data on a combination therapy for advanced liver cancer patients. The study involves fostroxacitabine bralpamide (fostrox) and Lenvima®, offering hope for better treatment outcomes.

About the Study

The data comes from an ongoing phase Ib/IIa study carried out by Medivir AB. The research focuses on patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), presenting the findings at the ESMO GI Congress in Munich.

The study, overseen by Dr. Hong Jae Chon, is testing the safety and efficacy of fostrox combined with Lenvima® for patients who don't respond well to first- or second-line treatments.

Key Findings

The study results are highly encouraging. Only 5% of patients had to stop the treatment due to side effects, and the need for dose adjustments was less than expected. This indicates a good safety and tolerability profile for the combination.

Jens Lindberg, CEO at Medivir, highlighted the benefits, noting that this combination therapy helps patients stay on treatment longer than anticipated. This is crucial for those who have no other approved treatment options after standard care.

Clinical Importance

Advanced HCC is notoriously hard to treat, and new therapies are urgently needed. Dr. Hong Jae Chon emphasized the clinical benefits of the new therapy, pointing out its effectiveness and that it doesn't adversely affect liver function.

The objective is to find treatments that provide better outcomes without compromising liver health. The combination therapy has shown promising results so far, which could set the stage for more extensive clinical trials.

Mechanism of Fostrox

Fostrox is a liver-targeted inhibitor that selectively delivers a cell-destroying compound to cancer cells. It combines a chemotherapy agent with a prodrug tail, allowing the active substance to be released directly in the liver, minimizing damage to healthy cells.

This unique mechanism allows for oral administration, making it easier for patients to receive their treatment.

The Future of Treatment

Medivir is now focusing on the feasibility of further studies and is finalizing protocols that will enable regulatory approval in the US by the second half of 2024.

If successful, fostrox could become the first liver-targeted, orally administered treatment for liver cancer, offering significant benefits to patients.

The Burden of Liver Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the leading type of liver cancer, accounting for more than 80% of cases worldwide. Around 660,000 patients are diagnosed each year globally, with a five-year survival rate of less than 20%.

This underscores the urgent need for new, effective therapies that can improve patient outcomes and extend survival rates.

Medivir's Commitment

Medivir is dedicated to developing innovative drugs for cancer, especially in areas with high unmet medical needs. The company focuses on treatments where available options are limited and aims to offer significant improvements for patients.

Collaborations and partnerships are essential to Medivir's strategy, with fostrox being a key candidate under development.

Conclusion

The new data on the combination of fostrox and Lenvima® shows great promise for improving outcomes for patients with advanced liver cancer. Future studies are awaited to further validate these findings and bring this potentially life-saving therapy to market.