Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ASTX) recently presented data from the phase I portion (dose-escalation) of the SGI-110-01 study in patients with intermediate or high risk relapsed or refractory myelodysplastic syndromes (r/r MDS). The data was presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA).
15 intermediate or high risk r/r MDS (including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) patients were enrolled in the study – the patients had been treated earlier with either Vidaza (azacitidine) or Dacogen (decitabine). About 40% of the patients had undergone treatment with both therapies. Six of the 15 patients achieved an overall response rate of 40%.
SGI-110 is currently in a phase I/II trial for MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and phase II trials for platinum resistant ovarian cancer and liver cancer. The phase II dose expansion study in patients who are treatment-naive to prior Vidaza or Dacogen therapy has so far enrolled 40 treatment naïve MDS patients. First data from phase II studies on platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and liver cancer is expected in 2014.
Astex is trying to develop a portfolio of cancer drugs, with candidates such as AT13387, SGI-110, AT7519, AT9283, and AT13148. Astex has started phase II studies with AT13387 in patients with refractory gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), castration resistant prostate cancer (CPRC), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). First data from phase II studies on CRPC and NSCLC is expected in 2014.
Astex carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Currently, companies like Santarus, Inc. (SNTS), Anika Therapeutics Inc. (ANIK) and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Public Limited Company (JAZZ) look well positioned with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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