By Joe Hoppe
Faron Pharmaceuticals Oyj said Thursday that initial data analysis from a clinical trail shows its Bexmarilimab treatment starts immune responses in some cancer patients that haven't traditionally benefited from current immunotherapy treatments.
The biopharmaceutical company, which is listed in the U.K. and Finland, said patients with low baseline levels of inflammatory cytokines in their blood achieved a significantly higher clinical benefit following treatment with Bexmarilimab monotherapy, a cancer treatment which is being investigated as a potential monotherapy for patients with solid tumors.
Among the 30 patients included in the Phase 1 and 2 Matins study, all of whom were heavily pre-treated, nine experienced a clinical benefit. A biomarker analysis showed that in patients receiving the treatment, interferon gamma levels--a marker for inflammation--increased after the first dose, suggesting the drug amplifies immune response.
The continuing trial is investigating the efficacy and safety of Bexmarilimab, and survival data shows 83% of patients that experienced a clinical benefit were still alive after six months, compared with 29% of patients who didn't experience a benefit surviving. The treatment was also well-tolerated, with just 7% experiencing strong adverse effects.
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