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PharmAust (ASX:PAA) reports further progress in phase II 28-day canine cancer trial

ASX News, Health Care
ASX:PAA
21 April 2023 10:55 (AEDT)

PharmAust (PAA) has continued to report disease response in dogs with cancer treated by the company in a phase II trial of its MPL product

PAA has observed that using MPL and Prednisone extended the survival of dogs suffering from B-cell lymphoma to a median of 150 days while maintaining a quality of life.

The company is using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) to test the partial response of canines and stable disease responses to MPL and Prednisone.

Based on changes in the size of the tumour, using CT scans or MRI scans, two canines have had a partial response — a 30 per cent decrease in tumour size — to the treatment.

Of the 27 dogs that have completed the study, eight have shown ‘stable disease’, which is one of the goals of the trial.

One canine remains on trial in WA, and six others have partially completed the 28-day evaluation and await plasma analysis to confirm RECIST outcomes.

Four dogs were removed from the study following a lack of compliance with tablet administration, and one dog died on day four.

Another five failed to meet PAA criteria levels of five micromoles of plasma MPL and have been excluded from the trial.

However, one canine has surpassed 280 days with stable disease and continued “excellent quality of life” as attested by dog owner testimonials.

PAA requires eight out of a further 19 dogs to show improvement in stable disease symptoms by day 28 for the trial to meet its desired trial outcomes.

The MPL phase II trial is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

PAA said its commercial strategy to bridge the options of standard-of-care with chemotherapy was on target.

The company has begun confidential discussions with potential licensing partners
for canine cancer.

PAA shares were last trading at 10 cents.

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