PharmAust (ASX:PAA) has provided an update on its Phase 2b trial testing the anti-cancer activity of monepantel (MPL) in pet dogs with B-cell lymphoma.
The company said 24 dogs with treatment naïve B cell lymphoma have qualified for evaluation across the two trial programs. A further two pet dogs were admitted to the trial but were not evaluated due to incorrect dosing.
"During the course of PharmAust's trial programs, pet dogs have been administered MPL as gelatin encapsulated liquid or as a tablet. MPL tablets have been administered at four doses. Based on this, PharmAust has calculated an optimum drug plasma range for anticancer activity and minimal side effects," said the company.
"Of the seven pet dogs with drug plasma levels in the optimum range, six achieved stable disease and one had a partial response, with some tumours completely disappearing, as assessed by the administering veterinarians. Side effects were minimal or not detected. Below this optimal drug plasma range efficacy was suboptimal while above the range, some occasional weight loss was observed as a side effect.
"Of the six pet dogs that achieved stable disease, five continued to take MPL after the trial in combination with prednisolone. To date, these five dogs have achieved much higher than expected mean and median survival times, at 125 and 138 days, respectively. This 138-day median survival compares favourably with a recently reported 60 day median survival for similar pet dogs treated only with standard-of-care prednisolone1. All pet dog owners reported a very high quality of life for their pet dogs while taking MPL. A testimonial page has been added to the PAA website."
According to trial principal investigator Kim Agnew, “We have made clear progress in a short timeframe in better understanding the monepantel/B-cell lymphoma dose/response relationship and now have clearer understanding of the effective plasma range required for monepantel as a mono-therapy. It is exciting to begin planning an extension of study sites outside of Australia to explore these findings in more detail. We are actively investigating options for sites in NZ and the US to broaden enrolments.”
PharmAust’s chief scientific officer Dr Richard Mollard added, “The trial data are becoming more interesting. Although this analysis examining the effects of combination with prednisolone is retrospective in nature, it enables the making of robust hypotheses and provides justification for their formal testing in Phase 3 studies. Quality of life may be the most important outcome for pet dogs as we do not know how pet dogs balance expectations of their quality of life with expectations of quantity of life. Extended overall survival time with good quality of life is the most important outcome for pet owners and veterinarians. PharmAust is pleased to proceed with development of monepantel while aiming to satisfy both of these outcome measures.”