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Verastem Publishes Scientific Data on Targeting Mesothelioma Cancer Stem Cells in Science Translational Medicine
- Study Demonstrates Increased Efficacy of FAK Inhibition in Pre-clinical Models of Merlin-negative Mesothelioma -
The paper describes the finding that loss of the tumor suppressor merlin predicts for increased responsiveness to drugs targeting cancer stem cells through inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Since merlin loss is particularly prevalent in mesothelioma (approximately 50% of patients), the efficacy of FAK inhibition was demonstrated in several cellular and in vivo mesothelioma models. The publication further describes the strong tumor-initiating capability of mesothelioma cancer stem cells and the observation that the standard of care agents pemetrexed and cisplatin augment cancer stem cells. In contrast, FAK inhibition effectively reduces cancer stem cells in preclinical models of mesothelioma.
“These data demonstrate that FAK inhibition is particularly effective in
models of merlin-negative mesothelioma,” said
Collectively, these observations provide the scientific basis for Verastem’s ongoing registration-directed clinical trial of the FAK inhibitor VS-6063 in patients with mesothelioma following treatment with pemetrexed (Alimta®) plus platinum (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01870609).
The Science Translational Medicine paper can be accessed at http://bit.ly/RWbTH9
About Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that
occurs in the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that covers the
lungs. Mesothelioma is associated with exposure to asbestos in most
cases. According to the
About VS-6063
VS-6063 (defactinib) is an orally available compound designed to target
cancer stem cells through the potent inhibition of focal adhesion kinase
(FAK). Cancer stem cells are an underlying cause of tumor resistance to
chemotherapy, recurrence and ultimate disease progression. Research by
About COMMAND
COMMAND is a registration-directed, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of VS-6063 with Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) as the primary endpoints. VS-6063 targets cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are an underlying cause of tumor progression and recurrence. The design of COMMAND allows the opportunity to enrich for patients with tumors low in the biomarker, merlin. Preclinical and early clinical research has demonstrated that low merlin levels may be predictive of increased effectiveness of FAK inhibitors such as VS-6063. The COMMAND study stratifies patients to evaluate the effect of VS-6063 in both the overall patient population and the subgroup of patients whose tumors are low in merlin.
COMMAND is expected to enroll approximately 350-400 patients at clinical
sites in 12 countries, including the US,
About VS-4718
VS-4718 is an orally available compound designed to target cancer stem cells through the potent inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). VS-4718 is currently being studied in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in patients with advanced cancers.
About
Forward-looking statements:
This press release includes forward-looking statements about the
Company’s strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements
regarding the development of the Company’s compounds, including VS-6063,
or defactinib, and the Company’s FAK inhibition program, the timeline
for clinical development and regulatory approval of the Company’s
compounds, the expected timing for the reporting of data from ongoing
trials, and the structure of the Company’s planned or pending clinical
trials, and potential indications for clinical development. The words
“anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,”
“may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,”
“would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Each
forward-looking statement is subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include
the risks that the preclinical testing of the Company’s compounds and
preliminary data from clinical trials may not be predictive of the
results or success of ongoing or later clinical trials, that data may
not be available when we expect it to be, that enrollment of clinical
trials may take longer than expected, that the Company will be unable to
successfully complete the clinical development of its compounds,
including VS-6063, that the development of the Company’s compounds will
take longer or cost more than planned, and that the Company’s compounds
will not receive regulatory approval or become commercially successful
products. Other risks and uncertainties include those identified under
the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended
Source:
Verastem, Inc.
Brian Sullivan, 617-252-9314
bsullivan@verastem.com