A recent press release from Verrica Pharmaceuticals and its partner Lytix Biopharma reported in Healio announces the results of the first portion of a study evaluating VP-315 to treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Lesion clearance was reported in six patients.
The companies presented the findings at the August 2023 meeting of the AADI Academy in Tampa, Florida.
A consistent clearance of the lesions continued for 49 days post-treatment. Four out of the six patients had complete clearance while one of the remaining patients had a 95% tumor clearance. The sixth patient had a 30% tumor clearance.
About the Study
Patients received one 8 mg dose of VP 315 each day. The drug was delivered into the tumors which were assessed and then surgically removed (excised) on the 49th day.
An evaluation found that there was a consistent clearance of BCC lesions 49 days post-treatment.
What Causes BCC?
The onset of the disease begins with the skin’s basal cells developing a mutation in a person’s DNA.
It is a simple process whereby basal cells produce skin cells and move the old cells to the skin’s surface where they die.
It will often seem like a slightly transparent bump and is found in areas that are mostly exposed to the sun. Needless to say, healthcare professionals are making a constant effort to promote the use of sunscreen.
Oystein Rekdal Lytix CEO expressed her confidence in VP 315 and its ability to bring about tumor clearance at the higher levels. Dr. Rekdal and associates expect to see Part 2 of Verrica’s Phase 2 study results in early 2024.
