Biopharmaceutical company OncoSynergy recently shared that the first patient was dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial. Within this trial, researchers are exploring OS2966 for patients with recurrent glioblastoma. This is especially important as this is the first time that an anti-CD29 treatment option has been evaluated in human clinical trials.
OS2966
In many cases, glioblastomas are difficult to treat. This is especially true when considering the inability of many therapies to cross the blood-brain barrier. However, OncoSynergy believes that OS2966 could provide a new and more efficacious treatment option. So far, pre-clinical studies have shown that OS2966 may be able to overcome obstacles faced by prior treatments.
During this trial, patients must have recurrent or quickly progressing glioblastoma. Additionally, patients must need tumor resection, which is when doctors attempt to surgically remove most (if not all) of a tumor. While tumor resection is not always beneficial on its own, it will allow researchers to understand how well OS2966 is able to reach the brain.
But what is OS2966? This monoclonal antibody blocks and inhibits CD29, a cell surface receptor which can increase cancerous proliferation and treatment resistance. The American Cancer Society describes monoclonal antibodies as:
man-made proteins that act like human antibodies in the immune system.
In short, monoclonal antibody treatments are able to prompt and heighten the immune response against antigens (like those found on cancer cells). During the Phase 1 clinical trial, researchers will administer OS2966 to the glioblastoma tumor using convection-enhanced delivery (CED). In a 2017 article published in Neurotherapeutics, the authors describe CED as:
a promising technique that generates a pressure gradient at the tip of an infusion catheter to deliver therapeutics directly through the interstitial spaces of the central nervous system. It addresses and offers solutions to many limitations of conventional techniques, allowing for delivery past the blood–brain barrier in a targeted and safe manner that can achieve therapeutic drug concentrations.
In this case, the Cleveland Multiport Catheter from Infuseon Therapeutics will administer the therapy.
Glioblastoma
Forming from star-shaped astrocyte cells, glioblastoma is a rare form of astrocytoma, though it is one of the more common brain tumors in adults. Normally, glioblastomas form in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma tumors can create their own blood supply, prompting growth. Males and older individuals are at a higher risk of developing glioblastomas. Oftentimes, glioblastomas are difficult to treat. This is because of tumor location, the brain’s lack of regenerative ability, and treatment resistance. Unfortunately, glioblastomas are usually fatal within about five years. Symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Persistent headaches
- Changes in vision, mood, behavior, or personality
- Depression
- Difficulty thinking or speaking
- Appetite loss
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Seizures
Learn more about glioblastoma here.
