A Phase I study assessing the combination of German-major Merck’s (NYSE: MRK) DNA-PK inhibitor, peposertib, and Australia-based Telix Pharmaceuticals’s (ASX: TLX) targeted radiation therapy, TLX250 (177Lu-DOTA-girentuximab), has enrolled its first participant. This open-label dose escalation and dose expansion trial is designed to evaluate the safety profile, dosing, and activity of the treatment in patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors expressing carbonic-anhydrase IX (CAIX), which is considered a potential pan-cancer target.
Study Focus and Significance
The study’s focus on CAIX-expressing tumors highlights the potential for a targeted approach to cancer treatment. By combining Merck’s peposertib, a DNA-PK inhibitor, with Telix’s TLX250, a targeted radiation therapy, the study aims to assess the synergistic effects of this combination on tumor response and safety. This approach could offer a new treatment option for patients with limited therapeutic alternatives due to relapsed or refractory disease states.
Potential Implications for Cancer Treatment
The initiation of this Phase I study marks a significant step in exploring the potential of combined therapies for hard-to-treat cancers. The results of the trial may provide valuable insights into the efficacy and safety of targeting CAIX, which could lead to the development of new treatment strategies for a range of solid tumors. The study’s outcomes will be closely monitored as they could have broad implications for the oncology field.-Fineline Info & Tech
