- Kazia Therapeutics (KZA) will collaborate with Cornell University to investigate Kazia’s new brain cancer treatment in combination with a keto diet
- The phase two clinical study is set to determine how and if being in a state of ketogenesis enhances the activity of KZA’s cancer treatment, paxalisib
- Kazia said data from the study could significantly enhance paxalisib’s performance against aggressive brain cancer and minimize certain side effects
- The study is expected to take approximately two years to complete
- Kazia Therapeutics shares were up 4.96 per cent and trading at $1.38
Kazia Therapeutics (KZA) will collaborate with Cornell University to investigate Kazia’s new brain cancer treatment in combination with a keto diet.
The parties have tabled a phase two clinical study to assess the use of Kazia’s new drug — paxalisib — in potentially treating glioblastoma, a common and aggressive form of brain cancer.
The study will investigate the drug candidate in combination with a ketogenetic diet and a subsequent state of ketogenesis, where the body is fuelled by fats and proteins as opposed to glucose.
According to Kazia, research suggests that ketogenesis may enhance the activity of PI3K inhibitors in glioblastoma, which are given to treat certain cancers unresponsive to other treatments.
Kazia said data from this study has the potential to significantly enhance the activity of paxalisib in glioblastoma and to minimize certain side effects, including high blood sugar.
Kazia is set to provide support including the study drug and a financial grant and is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
The study’s Principal Investigator Dr Howard Fine said he was excited to explore the potential for a PI3K inhibitor in combination with ketogenesis.
“Glioblastoma remains an immensely challenging disease and we need the most potent array of tools at our disposal in order to treat it,” he said.
Kazia Therapeutics shares were up 4.96 per cent and trading at $1.38 at 12:45 pm AEST.