Researchers have shown clinical activity with ENMD-2076 (EntreMed, Inc), an orally-active, Aurora A/angiogenic kinase inhibitor with a unique kinase selectivity profile and multiple mechanisms of action, in the treatment of recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Data of a phase II study with ENMD-2076 was presented todat by the principal investigator, Ursula A. Matulonis, M.D, medical director of gynecologic oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, during a poster discussion session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting being held June 3 – 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.
Angiogenic profile
ENMD-2076 has been shown to inhibit a distinct profile of angiogenic tyrosine kinase targets in addition to the Aurora A kinase. Aurora kinases are key regulators of mitosis (cell division), and are often over-expressed in human cancers. ENMD-2076 also targets the VEGFR, Flt-3 and FGFR3 kinases which have been shown to play important roles in the pathology of several cancers. ENMD-2076 has shown promising activity in Phase I clinical trials in solid tumor cancers, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. While ENMD-2076 is currently in a Phase II trial in ovarian cancer, preclinical and clinical activities are ongoing in assessing the compound’s applicability in other forms of cancer.
Trial data
The trial was an open-label, single-arm, multi-center-study of ENMD-2076 dosed orally as a single agent in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian, peritoneal or tubal cancer. Sixty-four patients were enrolled of which 57 were evaluable at the time of the presentation. The primary endpoint for the study was progression-free survival rate at six months. Secondary end-points include response rate, duration of response, and overall survival.
Single agent
ENMD-2076 demonstrated clinical activity when administered daily orally as a single agent. Interim data from 57 evaluable patients showed a six-month progression free survival rate of 19%. Of the evaluable patients, four patients achieved a partial response and 30 patients achieved stable disease as measured by RECIST v1.1. Median overall survival has not yet been reached. The side effect profile was consistent with activity against ENMD-2076’s targets, in particular, VEGFR2 and Aurora A. Studies to evaluate potential markers of ENMD-2076 in this patient group are ongoing.
Matulonis commented on the results of the study, “ENMD-2076 has demonstrated impressive anti-cancer activity in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer which is notoriously difficult to treat, and these patients have few options.”
EntreMed’s chief medical officer, Carolyn F. Sidor, M.D., M.B.A., added, “These results are very encouraging as they support further development of ENMD-2076 and also help us clarify its developmental path in ovarian cancer. We are currently designing the next clinical trial in this indication and look forward to opportunities to make ENMD-2076 available to ovarian cancer patients in the future.”
For more information:
Abstract Title: A Phase 2 Study of ENMD-2076 in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer Poster Board: 10, Location: E450a
Poster Session : Friday, June 3, 2011 ? 2:00 p.m. ? 6:00 p.m. (CDT) Abstract No.: 5021
Discussion Session : Friday, June 3, 2011 ? 5:00 p.m. ? 6:00 p.m. (CDT), Location: E354b
