Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Volastra Therapeutics, a biotechnology company specializing in cancer research, has announced the commencement of the first patient's dosing in a Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating VLS-1488. VLS-1488, in combination with sovilnesib (formerly known as AMG650), comprises Volastra's innovative clinical portfolio of inhibitors targeting KIF18A, designed specifically for treating solid tumors with high levels of chromosomal instability (CIN).
This Phase I/II trial, designated as NCT05902988, is focused on assessing the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of VLS-1488 in patients with advanced tumors. It marks a significant milestone in Volastra's mission to develop treatments for patients dealing with challenging-to-treat cancers.
Charles Hugh-Jones M.D., FRCP, who serves as the CEO of Volastra, stated, "In 2019, our team embarked on a journey to explore the biology of chromosomal instability and discover innovative therapeutic strategies. The groundbreaking research that led to this clinical trial has the potential to pave the way for the first-ever treatment targeting CIN."
KIF18A is a protein crucial for the efficient division and growth of many tumor cells, unlike normal healthy cells. This selectivity allows for the targeted elimination of cancer cells. Volastra intends to employ various exploratory biomarkers, including advanced AI-based tissue imaging developed in collaboration with Microsoft, to measure CIN.
Dr. Pat LoRusso, D.O., Director of the Phase I Clinical Trial Unit at Yale, emphasized, "Addressing chromosomal instability represents a significant opportunity in the field of cancer therapy. The inhibition of KIF18A has demonstrated promising results in pre-clinical models with high levels of CIN. We eagerly anticipate contributing to the clinical trial of this promising compound."
Dr. Alexander Starodub, M.D., Ph.D., based at The Christ Hospital Cancer Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, administered the initial dose to a patient in this Phase I trial.
Source: businesswire.com
