Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC) has welcomed the final results from a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (a dangerous form of kidney cancer) preclinical program led by eminent cancer researcher, Associate Professor Nikki Verrills of The University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute.
The research program found that Race Oncology’s Zantrene treatment was capable of killing kidney cancer cells at clinically relevant concentrations on its own and in combination with known kidney cancer drugs lenvatinib, cabozantinib and pazopanib.
The company says these ‘compelling’ results support advancing Zantrene into clinical trials as a possible new treatment option for patients with advanced kidney cancer.
“Unmet need for improved treatment options”
“The results from Prof Verrills' laboratory are highly encouraging and supportive of our clinical plans for Zantrene in kidney cancer,” Race Oncology chief scientific officer Dr Daniel Tillett said.
“Advanced kidney cancer has a large unmet need for improved treatment options and Zantrene in combination with existing treatments may offer new hope for patients with this devastating disease.”
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer, comprising over 70% of renal tumours.
While a relatively rare cancer, it accounts for about 2% of global cancer diagnoses and deaths and has more than doubled in incidence over the past half-century, today being the ninth most common cancer in the developed world.
Advanced/metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma occurs in 25–30% of people before diagnosis.
The clinical signs of ccRCC are often mild or non-existent until the disease has spread throughout the body (metastasised).
The most common organs for ccRCC to metastasise to lymph nodes, lungs, bones, liver and brain. Late diagnosis remains a major challenge in the effective treatment of ccRCC.
Race Oncology CEO Phillip Lynch said: “We are again pleased to note Zantrene’s effectiveness both in isolation and in combination with other known kidney cancer treatments.
“This result encourages clinical translation, and we look forward to determining an optimal approach for progressing clinical study.”
Next steps
From here Race Oncology intends to complete:
➢ ccRCC studies testing the best Zantrene drug combinations in relevant animal models;
➢ Further preclinical studies to explore the mechanism of action of the Zantrene synergies discovered; and
➢ Discussions with key opinion leaders in renal cancer to explore advancing Zantrene for use in ccRCC patients in a Phase 1/2 treatment combination human clinical trial. If positive, such a trial could begin as early as end of 2022.