Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., and
Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) today announced interim data from
a phase I clinical trial evaluating ASG-5ME for the treatment of
castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). ASG-5ME is an antibody-drug
conjugate (ADC) targeting the SLC44A4 antigen that is being co-developed
by both companies for the treatment of solid tumors. The data are being
presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual
meeting being held June 1-5, 2012 in Chicago, IL.
"SLC44A4 is an attractive target in prostate cancer and is present in
the majority of patients with both localized and metastatic disease,"
said Leonard Reyno, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical
Officer of Agensys. "The current Phase I data demonstrates the
tolerability of this antibody drug conjugate and further evaluation of
safety and antitumor activity in patients with castration resistant
prostate cancer is ongoing."
"It is encouraging to observe these preliminary data with ASG-5ME in
prostate cancer, a disease for which late-stage patients need additional
therapeutic options," said Jonathan Drachman, M.D., Senior Vice
President, Research and Translational Medicine of Seattle Genetics. "In
addition to prostate cancer, our two companies are continuing to
evaluate the potential use of ASG-5ME in other solid tumor indications.
In parallel, we are collaborating with Agensys to co-develop ASG-22ME,
an ADC targeting Nectin-4 for solid tumors."
Phase 1 trial of ASG-5ME in metastatic castration-resistant prostate
cancer (CRPC) (Abstract #4568)
ASG-5ME is being evaluated in a
single-agent phase I clinical trial to determine the maximum tolerated
dose (MTD) and to assess the safety, pharmacokinetic profile and
antitumor activity of escalating doses of ASG-5ME. At the time of data
analysis, 26 patients were enrolled. The median age of the patients was
69.5 years and the median baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level
was 82.25.