IQ-AI Ltd (LSE:IQAI, OTCQB:IQAIF), through its subsidiary Imaging Biometrics, has reported encouraging interim results from a Phase 1 study on oral gallium maltolate (GaM) as a potential treatment for recurrent or refractory glioblastoma (GBM).
The study, aimed at evaluating the safety of GaM in relapsed GBM patients, has so far shown promising outcomes, said IQ-AI.
All three tested dose levels of GaM have demonstrated favourable safety and tolerability, with patients reporting no adverse effects, side effects, or symptoms. Additionally, an amendment to the study protocol has been approved, allowing for dose escalation.
The preliminary results of this ongoing study were presented by Dr Jennifer Connelly at the Society for Neuro-Oncology's 28th Annual Meeting in Vancouver.
Seventeen patients have met the eligibility criteria and have enrolled in the Phase 1 component of the study. As of 30 November 2023, 14 patients have been evaluated for treatment with oral GaM.
Three patients have achieved a median progression-free survival (PFS) of over 180 days, with one patient continuing treatment for more than a year. This performance is notably better than the historical 1.5 to six-month range for progression-free survival in this group of patients with relapsed GBM.
Patients participating in the study have all undergone prior treatments, with some experiencing multiple cancer recurrences. Historically, patients with GBM recurrence have a median overall survival (OS) of 2-9 months. The positive interim results from the study offer a glimmer of hope in the challenging fight against this aggressive form of brain cancer, underscoring the potential of oral gallium maltolate as a viable treatment option.
"We are encouraged by the favourable safety and tolerability profile at all dose levels," said Dr Christopher Chitambar, chair of the study. "Other pre-clinical studies have been conducted that demonstrate that oral gallium maltolate may prove to be a viable treatment alternative across multiple solid tumours as well."
"This is an encouraging update and I am pleased with the steady progress being made by the team," said Trevor Brown, chief executive of IQ-AI.