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news.Five Prime Therapeutics has advanced FPA008 into the Phase 2 dose expansion portion of the ongoing Phase 1/2 trial in PVNS.
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"We are very pleased to progress to the Phase 2 portion of this trial evaluating FPA008 as a treatment for patients with PVNS, an orphan joint disease associated with significant morbidity," said Robert Sikorski, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Development at Five Prime.
"Macrophages make up the bulk of PVNS tumors due to local over-expression of CSF-1, and we believe FPA008, a CSF-1 inhibitor, has the potential to impact the tumor by blocking the activation and survival of these cells. In the Phase 2 portion of the trial, we will evaluate clinical measures such as response rate, pain and mobility in patients with PVNS, for whom there are currently few options beyond surgery."
Five Prime initiated patient dosing in this Phase 1/2 clinical trial of FPA008 in July 2015. During the Phase 1 dose escalation part of the trial, Five Prime assessed the safety and pharmacodynamics of multiple ascending doses of FPA008 to determine the dose for expansion.
During the Phase 2 expansion, the company will evaluate response rate and duration, as well as measures of pain and range of motion, in approximately 30 patients.
In January 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation for FPA008 for the treatment of PVNS, which is estimated to have a prevalence of 25,000 patients in the U.S.
About PVNS
PVNS is a rare, locally aggressive tumor of the synovium. It is characterized by local over-expression of CSF-1, which recruits macrophages into the joints, forming the non-malignant tumor mass. It is associated with high morbidity, and there are no approved therapies for the condition.
FPA008 blocks the binding of CSF-1 and inhibits the activity and survival of the macrophages that form the bulk of the tumor. Five Prime is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial studying FPA008 as a treatment for PVNS.
About FPA008
FPA008 is an investigational antibody that inhibits the CSF-1 receptor and has been shown in preclinical models to block the activation and survival of monocytes and macrophages. Inhibition of CSF1R in preclinical models of several cancers reduces the number of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment, thereby facilitating an immune response against tumors.
FPA008 is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial in PVNS and a Phase 1 clinical trial in oncology indications. FPA008 is being developed under an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS).