Trovagene has started erolling patients for its second phase study of onvansertib plus FOLFIRI and Avastin (bevacizumab) for second-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with a KRAS mutation.
Trovagene noted in its press release that it is developing onvansertib, a first-in-class, third-generation, oral and highly-selective Polo-like Kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor that targets the key master regulator of tumor cell division, for the treatment of leukemias, lymphomas and solid tumor cancers.
“Our Phase 1b/2 trial is an opportunity for us to demonstrate the potential for onvansertib to provide a new, safe and efficacious treatment for patients who are faced with a poor prognosis and who have limited therapeutic options,” said Thomas Adams, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Trovagene. “Importantly, we have preclinical in-vitro and in-vivo data demonstrating that tumors harboring KRAS mutations are more sensitive to onvansertib-induced tumor death. Furthermore, onvansertib has significant synergy in combination with Camptosar and an additive effect with Avastin, both of which are components of the standard-of-care treatment regimen that will be used in our trial. We are excited to commence this trial, which already has funding in place through a previously announced agreement with PoC Capital, LLC.”