Can-Fite to initiate Phase I/II liver cancer trial

Can-Fite, an Israeli biotechnology company, has reported that, following the approval by the Israel Ministry of Health and Rabin MC Ethics Committee, a Phase I/II clinical trial with CF102 for the treatment of liver cancer will now start enrolling patients.

According to the company, the trial will investigate the safety and efficacy of CF102 in patients with liver cancer. This ascending-dose trial will be conducted at the Rabin Medical Center and include up to 40 patients.

Can-Fite is currently planning to develop CF102 for liver disease, including but not limited to liver cancer and hepatitis C. CF102, which is based on Can-Fite’s technological platform, is a targeted drug that binds to the A3 adenosine receptor with high affinity.

This receptor is highly expressed on the surface of cancer and inflammatory cells but not on healthy cells. CF102 binds its target on affected cells and leads to apoptosis (programmed cell death). Preclinical trials have shown that CF102 is effective for the treatment of liver cancer, said Can-Fite.

Pnina Fishman, CEO of Can-Fite, said: CF102 represents another application of the technology developed by Can-Fite for cancer and inflammatory diseases. According to our tests, this technology is particularly appropriate for the treatment of liver cancer, which is currently considered to have very low chances of recovery and presents a massive global need for a cure.