Suzhou-based pharmaceutical company Ascentage Pharma (HKG: 6855) has published the latest results from a Phase Ib study of its pelcitoclax (APG-1252), a dual inhibitor of BCL-2 and BCL-xL proteins, in combination with AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso (osimertinib) for the treatment of EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The findings were presented at the prestigious European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this combination therapy.
Study Results and Therapeutic Potential
The data presented at ESMO shows that the combination of pelcitoclax and Tagrisso has significant therapeutic potential in treating EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients. As of April 21, 2023, a total of 64 patients were enrolled in the study. Among the 26 patients who were previously untreated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), 21 achieved a partial response (PR), resulting in an objective response rate (ORR) of 80.8%. Notably, among the 16 patients with TP53 and EGFR co-mutations in this group, 14 patients obtained PR, with an ORR of 87.5%.
Implications for NSCLC Treatment
These results underscore the potential of pelcitoclax in combination with Tagrisso to significantly improve outcomes for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, particularly those with co-mutations. The high response rates observed in the study suggest that this combination could become an important treatment option, offering new hope for patients with this challenging form of lung cancer.-Fineline Info & Tech
