Chemo-resistant NSCLC receptive to folate-driven Rx

A single-arm phase II study to evaluate treatment with EC145 in patients with chemotherapy-resistant non-small cell lung cancer who have failed multiple therapy regimens has turned in promising results, according to Endocyte.

EC145 links the vitamin folate to chemotherapy drugs. Folate is required for cell division; cancer cells overexpress folate receptors in order to support cell division. The EC145 combo targets cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, stated a release from the company based in W. Lafayette, Ind. At the planned interim analysis, 35% of the 17 patients achieved clinical benefit, while more than half of those pateints had a duration of response of six months or longer. One patient experienced a significant tumor reduction of more than 30%.

Patients enrolled in the study were also treated with EC20, which identifies tumors that over-express the folate receptor. EC20 pinpoints patients most likely to respond to treatment.