According to a story from Financial Buzz, the biopharmaceutical company miRagen Therapeutics has recently announced the release of new data from its phase I clinical study. This trial is testing the company’s investigational drug cobomarsen as a treatment for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a rare and aggressive type of blood cancer. This data was specifically in regards to six patients who had an especially difficult to treat and aggressive variant of the disease that continued to display signs of residual disease after chemo or other forms of treatment.
About Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that is classified as a variant of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It affects mature T-cells, a form of white blood cell that play a critical role in the immune system. It is notable for its aggression and rarity. This type of cancer is believed to be caused by infection with the human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The virus can be passed from mother to child, through contaminated blood, or through sexual contact. Only around five percent of people infected will actually contract the disease. Symptoms include skin lesions, hypercalcemia, lytic bone lesions, and osteolysis. The lack of effective therapies and aggressive nature of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma means that most patients do not survive beyond a year. There is an urgent need for more effective treatments for this type of blood cancer. To learn more about adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, click here.
Study Results so Far
Over a year of weekly dosing, the safety profile of cobomarsen was found to be generally favorable. The vast majority of adverse events recorded in the study were only mild to moderate in severity. 15 patients in total have been treated in the study. Among the six patients who entered the study with residual disease, the median survival time was 26 months, compared to just 7.4 months in a historical cohort. In addition, median progressive free survival was 12.5 months in comparison to just 5.4 months.
Trial observers also observed significant changes in biomarker activity, suggesting an effective proof-of-concept for cobomarsen. This phase I basket trial will also test the drug in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
