Poniard reports positive data from Phase II prostate cancer study

Poniard Pharmaceuticals has reported new positive efficacy and safety data from its ongoing Phase II clinical trial of picoplatin in combination with docetaxel and prednisone as first-line therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

According to the company, results showed that the combination is active as first-line therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) as demonstrated by prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, time to PSA progression and radiologic response rates. Results also continue to show that picoplatin can be safely administered with full-doses of docetaxel and prednisone, the standard treatment for CRPC.

Patient enrollment in the ongoing Phase II trial of picoplatin in patients with metastatic CRPC was completed in December 2007. The trial enrolled 30 patients with metastatic CRPC who had not received prior chemotherapy. The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous picoplatin (120mg/sqm) administered every three weeks in combination with full doses of docetaxel (75mg/sqm) with daily prednisone (5mg) as a first-line treatment.

Robert Jager, chief medical officer of Poniard, said: The encouraging PSA response rates, time to PSA progression and radiologic responses rates, combined with the promising safety results observed to date, support further development of picoplatin in combination with docetaxel and prednisone in advanced prostate cancer patients.

We continue to collect and analyze data from this trial and expect to present updated clinical data, including time to disease progression and overall survival, at medical conferences later in 2009.