Synta (SNTA) Reports Encouraging Data from Ganetespib Review in NSCLC
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Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. (Nasdaq: SNTA) announced that a review of ganetespib results in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was presented by Dr. Suresh Ramalingam, Associate Professor, Chief of Thoracic Oncology and Director of Medical Oncology, Emory University, at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 12th Annual Targeted Therapies for the Treatment of Lung Cancer Meeting. Results showed that ganetespib is active in non-small cell lung cancer; has a favorable safety profile as a monotherapy or in combination with docetaxel; shows evidence of synergy with docetaxel in preclinical models; and has pronounced single-agent clinical activity in ALK+ lung cancer, which is believed to be complementary to, rather than competitive with, direct ALK kinase inhibitors such as crizotinib.
Ganetespib is a potent inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) that is structurally unrelated to first-generation, ansamycin-family Hsp90 inhibitors. Ganetespib is being evaluated in over 20 clinical trials either ongoing or currently initiating, with the most advanced clinical trial being the Phase 2b/3 GALAXY trial evaluating ganetespib with docetaxel vs. docetaxel alone in patients with advanced NSCLC who have progressed on first-line therapy. A global trial evaluating single-agent ganetespib in approximately 100 patients with ALK+ NSCLC who have not been previously treated with an ALK inhibitor is in the process of initiating.
Enrollment of the 240-patient Phase 2b portion of the GALAXY is expected to complete in Q2. Interim results, including landmark PFS, response rate, and disease control rates are expected in Q2; final progression-free survival results, as well as overall survival results, are expected in the second half of 2012.
During a panel session at the meeting, it was noted that ganetespib and crizotinib activity in ALK+ NSCLC are likely to be complementary, rather than competitive, due to their distinct mechanisms of action. Crizotinib, like other ALK inhibitors, inhibits the function of ALK by binding to the ALK protein itself; ganetespib blocks the activation of ALK by targeting its dependence on the Hsp90 chaperone. Ganetespib specifically, and Hsp90 inhibition generally, have been shown to be active in numerous models of ALK+ NSCLC for which the cancer cells have mutated and become resistant to treatment with crizotinib. At the panel session, it was announced that an investigator-sponsored trial evaluating the combination of ganetespib and crizotinib in ALK+ NSCLC patients is expected to initiate shortly.
Ganetespib is a potent inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) that is structurally unrelated to first-generation, ansamycin-family Hsp90 inhibitors. Ganetespib is being evaluated in over 20 clinical trials either ongoing or currently initiating, with the most advanced clinical trial being the Phase 2b/3 GALAXY trial evaluating ganetespib with docetaxel vs. docetaxel alone in patients with advanced NSCLC who have progressed on first-line therapy. A global trial evaluating single-agent ganetespib in approximately 100 patients with ALK+ NSCLC who have not been previously treated with an ALK inhibitor is in the process of initiating.
Enrollment of the 240-patient Phase 2b portion of the GALAXY is expected to complete in Q2. Interim results, including landmark PFS, response rate, and disease control rates are expected in Q2; final progression-free survival results, as well as overall survival results, are expected in the second half of 2012.
During a panel session at the meeting, it was noted that ganetespib and crizotinib activity in ALK+ NSCLC are likely to be complementary, rather than competitive, due to their distinct mechanisms of action. Crizotinib, like other ALK inhibitors, inhibits the function of ALK by binding to the ALK protein itself; ganetespib blocks the activation of ALK by targeting its dependence on the Hsp90 chaperone. Ganetespib specifically, and Hsp90 inhibition generally, have been shown to be active in numerous models of ALK+ NSCLC for which the cancer cells have mutated and become resistant to treatment with crizotinib. At the panel session, it was announced that an investigator-sponsored trial evaluating the combination of ganetespib and crizotinib in ALK+ NSCLC patients is expected to initiate shortly.
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