According to a story from bioportfolio.com, the biopharmaceutical company Eureka Therapeutics recently released the results of the proof of concept trial for its experimental T-cell therapy ET140202 as a treatment for AFP positive hepatocellular carcinoma. The results demonstrated a favorable safety profile for the product and fifty percent of patients experienced tumor regression. Eureka Therapeutics is dedicated to the development of innovative T-cell therapies.
About Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer in adults, although it is still not that common in the developed world. Cirrhosis can evolve into this cancer, and it is the most common cause of death for people with cirrhosis. Long term liver inflammation appears to be the primary cause, which can occur due to hepatitis infection, or exposure to toxic substances like alcohol. Other risk factors include certain congenital disorders and diabetes type 2. Symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, easy bruising, fluid in the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Treatment may include surgical removal, liver transplant, or ablation. Survival rates are poor, with most patients passing within a year of diagnosis. To learn more about hepatocellular carcinoma, click here.
New Drugs Needed
The very poor survival rates of hepatocellular carcinoma highlight the urgent medical need for more effective therapies and treatments. ET140202 is a unique T-cell therapy that is combined with an antibody that mimics TCR. This therapy has the potential to not only treat hepatocellular carcinoma but a variety of other solid tumor cancers as well.
The next step for researchers will be to initiate Phase I trials for the investigational drug. ET140202 has significant potential as it could be administered repeatedly and on a higher level of dosage in comparison to other T-cell therapies. In addition, it could also have some utility as part of a combination therapy.
About The Study
One of the six patients in the study displayed what is termed a complete response, with regression in the primary tumor and lung metastases. Of the five others, two demonstrated partial response, two had stable disease, and one had disease that was still progressing. Three of the patients ultimately died due to liver disease complications that were unrelated to treatment. Hopefully more clinical trials will show ET140202’s potential as a therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
