Research & Development

Clinical trial data for ovarian cancer

Phase 1 trial: CanTx conducted a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT02903771) for patients with persistent or recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

Promising results: The trial met its primary endpoints and established the maximum tolerated dose at 5 mg/kg. In the efficacy-evaluable population, the combination therapy showed a 19% objective response rate and a median progression-free survival of 13.1 weeks.

Evidence against cancer stem cells: Preliminary analysis of patient data suggested that Cantrixil treatment correlated with the reduction of ovarian cancer stem cell markers, reinforcing the drug's intended mechanism.

Initial Development and Mechanism of Action

Active compound: Cantrixil consists of the molecule TRX-E-002-1, a potent third-generation benzopyran, encapsulated within a cyclodextrin for delivery.

Targeting cancer stem cells: The drug was designed to target cancer stem cells, a subpopulation of tumor cells that are highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy and are believed to cause cancer relapse. By destroying these cells, Cantrixil was intended to improve long-term survival.

Inducing apoptosis: In preclinical studies, Cantrixil was shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells by activating the JNK-Jun pathway and causing mitochondrial damage. It also suppressed the pro-survival pathway pERK.

Intraperitoneal delivery: The drug was developed for IP administration, a delivery method that infuses chemotherapy directly into the abdomen. This approach was chosen to maximize local drug concentration and overcome poor bioavailability issues associated with older benzopyran-based drugs.