Glioma is a type of cancerous tumor that originates in the brain. It has various types and the tumors range in aggressiveness. There are around 11,000 people just in the United States and the European Union alone diagnosed with low-grade glioma each year. A much rarer form of the condition is called Gliomatosis cerebri. In this condition, the cancer doesn’t present itself in a tumor but in tihreads which spread quickly throughout the brain.
The prognosis for anyone with a glioma diagnosis is currently very poor. Only 33% of patients live more than 5 years after diagnosis.
However, new results from a Phase 1 trial are promising for the glioma community.
The Study
Agios Pharmaceuticals conducted a trial for glioma patients diagnosed with glioma with a IDH1 mutation. Of those diagnosed with low-grade glioma, 80% of patients have this particular mutation.
The company is testing AG-881, a potential inhibitor for this mutation.
The Phase 1 trial included 52 glioma patients. Some of these patients were non-enhancing and some were enhancing. The data showed that 100mg doses of the drug had a positive safety profile. Additionally, results of the study indicate that AG-881 could improve experiences for patients by at least slowing down the growth rate of the tumors. It could potentially delay the patients need for chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. This could significantly improve the patients quality of life.
The Future
The company hopes to confirm their development plans for the drug by the end of this year. While this drug is not a cure by any means, these results are providing a glimmer of hope for glioma patients.
You can read the full story on this new drug and how different patients responded to it during the phase 1 trial here.
