Amplia moves to next stage of cancer drug trial for narmafotinib

Amplia Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ATX) says that a fourth patient enrolled in a trial testing the efficacy of narmafotinib to treat advanced pancreatic cancer has shown a confirmed partial response.

This follows news last month – on July 25 – of three patients showing confirmed responses to the drug, meaning that only two more are required in this first of two patient cohorts for the Phase 2a clinical trial (also known as the ACCENT trial).

More specifically, ‘confirmed partial response’ refers to one in which the patient shows at least a 30% decrease in the overall size of tumour lesions, with no new tumour lesions, sustained over a two-month period. A ‘confirmed complete response’ refers to a total absence of tumour lesions over a two-month period.

A total of 26 patients have been enrolled in the first cohort of ACCENT, and trial protocol demands that six of these achieve this (confirmed) response level in order for the trial to move forward, with the enrolment of 24 more patients.

Amplia CEO and MD Dr Chris Burns said these latest results mean that Amplia is reaching the goals set out for the ACCENT trial.

“The activity of narmafotinib in the ACCENT trial continues to be very positive, consistent with our previous clinical and preclinical data,” he said.

“We remain on track to complete the interim analysis by the end of this quarter.”

The news boosted Amplia’s share price, which at 12:12 AEST, was sitting at 10.5 cents, a rise of 16.66% since the market opened.