This trial tested an 1800 mg/m2 dose of the drug, AS1404, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy. Investigators reported a response rate of 50%. A further 43% of patients showed disease stabilization, while only 7% had progressive disease as their best response. Addition of AS1404 to chemotherapy was well-tolerated despite the use of a dose 50% higher than that used in previous combination studies.
Further data from the trial, including time to progression and survival findings, are expected during the second half of this year.
Initial data from other controlled phase II trials in ovarian and prostate cancers have shown increased response rates with addition of AS1404 to standard chemotherapy.
“The high response rate and favorable tolerability profile in this study support earlier data suggesting that AS1404 has real potential as a novel therapy for lung cancer,” commented Dr Mark McKeage of the University of Auckland, New Zealand.