According to a story from GlobeNewswire, the first patient has been dosed in a recent clinical trial testing the experimental therapy tasquinimod as a treatment for multiple myeloma, a rare type of cancer. This drug is being developed by the biotechnology company Active Biotech. This Phase 1b/2a clinical study aims to recruit a total of 54 patients living with the disease.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma, which is occasionally referred to as plasma cell myeloma, is a blood cancer that affects plasma cells. These are white blood cells that produce antibodies. The overall cause of multiple myeloma is not well understood, however, some risk factors have been identified. These include obesity, family history, smoldering myeloma, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. These last two conditions have the potential to develop into multiple myeloma. Symptoms of this cancer include bone pain, infections, anemia, kidney failure, overly thick blood, confusion, fatigue, headaches, and amyloidosis. Treatment includes chemo, stem cell transplant, and other medications for relapsed disease, which is common. Five year survival rate is 49 percent in the US. To learn more about multiple myeloma, click here.
About The Trial
The goal of the trial is to determine the maximum tolerated dose of tasquinimod when it is used on its own. The drug will also be evaluated as an additional therapy in combination with a standard three-component treatment regimen for multiple myeloma. This regimen includes ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. Expansion cohorts of the trial for both tasquinimod on its own and as part of a combination are planned to gather early data about efficacy. The trial is to be conducted as part of a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center.
About Tasquinimod
Tasquinimod is an experimental therapeutic agent with anti-angiogenic and immunomodulatory properties. Designed to be orally active, the experimental medication has shown potential as a treatment for multiple myeloma in early disease models. It has previously been investigated as a treatment for solid tumors, such as prostate cancer. The drug has been well tolerated in earlier studies.
