Enrollment completed in Phase 2 trial in non-small cell lung cancer;
Enrollment begins in Phase 2 trial in hepatocellular carcinoma
WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Second graph, second sentence of release should read: Final data from this trial is expected to be available in the first half of 2010. (sted 2009).
The corrected release reads:
ARQULE PROVIDES CLINICAL UPDATE ON ARQ 197
Enrollment completed in Phase 2 trial in non-small cell lung cancer;
Enrollment begins in Phase 2 trial in hepatocellular carcinoma
ArQule, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQL - News) today announced that patient enrollment in a Phase 2 trial with ARQ 197 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been completed.
Approximately 160 patients were enrolled in the NSCLC trial, which is a randomized, double-blind trial comparing combination therapy with ARQ 197 and erlotinib against erlotinib and placebo in EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) inhibitor-naïve patients in second and third line settings, with the primary endpoint being progression-free survival. Final data from this trial is expected to be available in the first half of 2010.
The Company also announced that patient enrollment in a Phase 2 trial with ARQ 197 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been initiated. The Phase 2 initiation follows the successfully completed evaluation of patients enrolled in a safety trial in this indication.
Approximately 100 patients with unresectable HCC who have failed one prior systemic therapy are expected to be enrolled in the HCC trial, which is a randomized, double-blind trial comparing patients treated with ARQ 197 to those treated with placebo, with the primary endpoint being time-to-progression.
Separately and as part of the HCC tumor program, a Phase 1 safety trial in HCC is being conducted with the combination therapy of ARQ 197 and sorafenib.
Additional trials with ARQ 197 are ongoing in MiT (Microphthalmia Transcription Factor)-associated tumors and pancreatic cancer. Patients, physicians and other healthcare professionals seeking additional information about these trials may call 1-800-373-7827.
About ARQ 197 and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published scientific literature supports the role of c-Met in the onset of resistance to EGFR therapy, and pre-clinical efficacy studies in NSCLC cells conducted by ArQule have demonstrated synergy between ARQ 197 and erlotinib in halting cancer cell proliferation.
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the U.S. About 85 percent to 90 percent of all lung cancers are of the non-small cell type. In 2008, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 215,000 new cases of lung cancer in the U.S. and that 162,000 people will die of this disease.
About ARQ 197 and HCC
Scientific literature related to HCC provides evidence of the aberrant activation of the MET pathway. In addition, the dysregulation of c-Met and HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) has been shown to be common in this disease. Cell proliferation is a central mechanism responsible for liver cancer progression, and c-Met is believed to play an important role in this process.
According to the National Cancer Institute, 21,370 new cases of HCC in the U.S. were projected in 2008, and 18,410 deaths were projected to be caused by the disease. In the U.S., the increasing incidence of HCC is related primarily to hepatitis C infection and cirrhosis.
About ArQule
ArQule is a biotechnology company engaged in the research and development of next-generation, small-molecule cancer therapeutics. The Company’s targeted, broad-spectrum products and research programs are focused on key biological processes that are central to cancer. ArQule’s lead product, in Phase 2 clinical development, is ARQ 197, an inhibitor of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase. The Company has also initiated Phase 1 clinical testing with ARQ 621, designed to inhibit the Eg5 kinesin motor protein. The Company’s pre-clinical pipeline includes a compound designed to inhibit the BRAF kinase. ArQule’s current discovery efforts, which are based on the ArQule Kinase Inhibitor Platform (AKIP™) are focused on the identification of novel kinase inhibitors that are potent, selective and do not compete with ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for binding to the kinase.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the progress of the Company’s clinical trials, including Phase 2 trials with ARQ 197. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Positive information about early stage clinical trial results is not necessarily indicative of clinical efficacy and does not ensure that later stage or larger scale clinical trials will be successful. For example, ARQ 197 may not demonstrate promising therapeutic effect; in addition, this compound may not demonstrate an appropriate safety profile in further pre-clinical testing and in current, later stage or larger scale clinical trials as a result of known or as yet unanticipated side effects. The results achieved in later stage trials may not be sufficient to meet applicable regulatory standards. Problems or delays may arise during clinical trials or in the course of developing, testing or manufacturing these compounds that could lead the Company or its partner to discontinue development. Even if later stage clinical trials are successful, the risk exists that unexpected concerns may arise from analysis of data or from additional data or that obstacles may arise or issues be identified in connection with review of clinical data with regulatory authorities or that regulatory authorities may disagree with the Company’s view of the data or require additional data, information or studies. In addition, the planned timing of initiation and completion of clinical trials for ARQ 197 is subject to the ability of the Company to enroll patients, enter into agreements with clinical trial sites and investigators, and other technical hurdles and issues that may not be resolved. Drug development involves a high degree of risk. Only a small number of research and development programs result in the commercialization of a product. Furthermore, ArQule may not have the financial or human resources to pursue drug discovery successfully in the future. For more detailed information on the risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s drug development and other activities see the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.
ArQule, Inc.
William B. Boni, 781-994-0300
VP, Investor Relations/
Corp. Communications
www.ArQule.com
Copyright © 2009 Business Wire. All rights reserved. All the news releases provided by Business Wire are copyrighted. Any forms of copying other than an individual user's personal reference without express written permission is prohibited. Further distribution of these materials by posting, archiving in a public web site or database, or redistribution in a computer network is strictly forbidden.