(Alliance News) - Hutchmed China Ltd said on Thursday it has begun a phase one study of its colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor drug, HMPL-653.
The Hong Kong-based biopharmaceutical company said the first trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmocokinetics - meaning, how the concentration of a dosed drug in body fluids and tissues changes with time - and preliminary efficacy of HMPL-653. It will be trialled on patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours and tenosynovial giant cell tumours.
HMPL-653 is an investigational novel, highly selective and potent CSF-1R inhibitor, which is designed to target malignant driven tumours. It can be used alone or in combination with other drugs. The lead institution for the study is Jilin Cancer Hospital, with Cheng Yin serving as lead principal investigator.
"CSF-1R is usually expressed on the surface of macrophages and can promote growth and differentiation of macrophages after binding with its ligand, CSF-1. A number of studies have shown that blocking the CSF-1R signalling pathway could effectively modulate the tumour microenvironment, relieve tumour immunosuppression, and synergize with other anti-cancer therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors to achieve tumour inhibition," Hutchmed explained.
Clinical studies have shown that CSF-1R inhibitors can be used to TGCT, and other malignancies in combination with other drugs. TGCT is currently treated by surgery, which is often difficult due to the tumours being wrapped in peripheral organs.
"There is a high unmet need for effective and safe treatment for these patients," Hutchmed said.
China has not yet approved any CSF-1R inhibitors.
Hutchmed retains all worldwide rights to HMPL-653. The first patient received a first dose on Tuesday, and the total trial will include 110 patients.
Hutchmed shares were up 0.3% to 459.50 pence each in London on Thursday morning.
By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com
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