Beijing-based Konruns Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHA: 603590) has announced the publication of efficacy study results for its Category 1 chemical drug, KC1036, in the treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The drug was evaluated as a second-line therapy for patients who have already failed previous standard treatments.
Study Overview and Patient Demographics
As of December 2022, a total of 32 patients with advanced ESCC who had failed prior standard treatments were enrolled in the study. The median age of the subjects was 62 years, with 81.3% being male and 84.4% having an ECOG score of 1. Notably, 50% of the subjects had previously failed second-line treatment or higher.
Efficacy Results and Safety Profile
In terms of effectiveness, among the 27 patients with advanced ESCC who could be evaluated for efficacy, 8 achieved a partial response (PR), 15 had stable disease (SD), and 4 experienced progressive disease (PD). The objective response rate (ORR) was reported at 29.6%, while the disease control rate (DCR) reached 85.2%. Additionally, 74.1% of subjects showed reduced target lesions, with the longest treatment cycle exceeding nine months. Regarding safety, KC1036 demonstrated a good safety profile, tolerability, and high compliance among patients with advanced solid tumors. The majority of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were classified as grade 1-2, with grade 3 TRAEs being rare, the highest incidence being hypertension at 8.5%. The safety profile of KC1036 in patients with advanced ESCC was found to be consistent with that of patients receiving standard therapy.
Mechanism of Action of KC1036
KC1036 is a small molecule cancer therapy that targets AXL, VEGFR2, and FLT3. The AXL and VEGFR signaling pathways are significantly involved in the survival, growth, metastasis, invasion, and drug resistance of tumor cells. By selectively inhibiting the VEGFR and AXL signaling pathways, KC1036 aims to deliver stronger and more lasting antitumor effects.-Fineline Info & Tech
