The new data is generated from preclinical studies conducted in a laboratory at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia, which showed improved overall survival with AMP945 plus Folfirinox, compared to Folfirinox alone
AMP945 plus Folfirinox show efficacy in preclinical trials. (Credit: Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pixabay)
Australian pharmaceutical company Amplia Therapeutics has unveiled new preclinical data for its investigational drug AMP945, in combination with Folfirinox, in treating pancreatic cancer.
AMP945 is an orally bioavailable small molecule Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor, currently evaluated in a Phase 1b/2a ACCENT trial in pancreatic cancer patients.
Folfirinox is a combination of four chemotherapies, 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin, used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The new data is generated from preclinical studies conducted in the laboratory of Professor Paul Timpson at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia.
The data showed that mice treated with AMP945 plus Folfirinox improved overall survival compared to those treated with Folfirinox alone.
Amplia CEO and managing director Chris Burns said: “The exciting results from this mouse study further indicate the potential of AMP945 in pancreatic cancer treatment when used in combination with standard-of-care therapies.
“In light of this data, we have filed a patent to cover the use of FAK inhibitors, and particularly AMP945, in combination with FOLFIRINOX and related treatment regimes.”
AMP945 was given days prior to Folfirinox treatment, which resulted in a statistically significant improvement in survival compared to Folfirinox-only treated mice.
The new data, together with the company’s previously reported preclinical data, validate the benefit of combining AMP945 with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.
AMP945 has shown promising activity in models of pancreatic cancer with the two most common first-line chemotherapy regimens, said the Australian drugmaker.
ACCENT trial investigator Nick Pavlakis said: “Folfirinox is employed under certain conditions in Australia and more broadly in the USA and Europe, and the data from this study, coupled with the developing safety and tolerability data from Amplia’s current ACCENT trial, provide strong support to undertake a future clinical study of AMP945 with Folfirinox.”