Verastem, Inc., (NASDAQ: VSTM) focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer stem cells, announced the initiation of a Phase 1 trial of VS-4718, a novel, small molecule inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), in patients with advanced cancer.
“We believe that cancer stem cells are ultimately responsible for disease progression in many cancers”
Research by the company and Robert Weinberg, Ph.D., Verastem co-founder and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, has demonstrated in preclinical models of multiple tumor types that the FAK pathway is critical for the growth and survival of cancer stem cells, which are an underlying cause of tumor metastasis and recurrence.
"It is exciting to bring a novel small molecule inhibitor targeting the FAK pathway, a key regulator of cancer stem cells, into the clinic," said Principal Investigator Alain Mita, M.D., Co-Director, Experimental Therapeutics Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. "There is significant scientific evidence to suggest that FAK could be an important therapeutic target in metastatic solid tumors. We have incorporated a biomarker strategy into the design of this trial to help us further define the role of cancer stem cells and FAK in disease progression for patients with advanced tumors."
"We believe that cancer stem cells are ultimately responsible for disease progression in many cancers," said Dr. Joanna Horobin, Verastem Chief Medical Officer. "By inhibiting FAK, we have the potential to directly address this underlying cell population in tumors. This study should give us the necessary safety profile and dosing information to determine the future course of clinical development for VS-4718."
The Phase 1 trial is an open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation study of VS-4718 in patients. These patients are assessed for safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and initial evidence of activity as determined by cancer stem cell biomarkers. The study will enroll up to 40 patients at three U.S. locations.
"VS-4718 is the second compound in our portfolio to enter clinical development," said Robert Forrester, Verastem President and Chief Operating Officer. "We have an ongoing combination trial of lead FAK inhibitor, VS-6063, and paclitaxel in patients with ovarian cancer. In addition, we will soon initiate a potentially pivotal, multinational, randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled study of VS-6063 in patients with mesothelioma."
"Our unique understanding of cancer stem cell biology, and diligent execution by our research and development team, has allowed us to build a leading portfolio of cancer stem cell targeting agents," said Christoph Westphal, M.D., Ph.D., Verastem Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients through our focus on targeting cancer stem cells in multiple tumor types."
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