SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that the Phase III IPATential150 study met its co-primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and whose tumors had PTEN loss. In this patient group, ipatasertib in combination with abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone provided a statistically significant reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death, compared to current standard of care (abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone) plus placebo. The other co-primary endpoint of rPFS in the overall study population (intention-to-treat) was not met. The safety profile for the combination of ipatasertib and abiraterone was consistent with previous analyses and known risks. The results of the IPATential150 study will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.
While initial data are encouraging, overall survival benefit and additional secondary endpoints are not yet mature. The trial will continue until the next planned analysis and data will be shared with health authorities.
“Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of death in men worldwide and patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer can be difficult to treat,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “The early results of the IPATential150 study are encouraging in our ongoing mission to develop new treatment options for people with advanced prostate cancer.”
Ipatasertib is an oral, highly specific, investigational medicine designed to target and bind to all three isoforms of AKT (protein kinase B), which blocks the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway – a key driver of cancer cell growth and proliferation in prostate cancer. The PI3K/AKT pathway has also been implicated in resistance to anti-androgen therapy as androgen receptor (AR) inhibition is associated with an increase in AKT pathway activation. Functional loss of the tumor suppressor protein PTEN within the tumor, seen in approximately 40-60% of mCRPC patients, results in hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and is associated with adverse outcomes such as increased tumor grade and stage, earlier biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, metastasis, prostate-cancer-specific death, and androgen-independent progression.
Genentech’s clinical development program for ipatasertib focuses on tumors that are frequently found to have activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In addition to prostate cancer, ipatasertib is being studied in certain types of breast cancer including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hormone-receptor positive (HR+), HER2- negative breast cancer. Results are anticipated later in 2020.
About the IPATential150 study
IPATential150 is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized Phase III study assessing ipatasertib in combination with abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone, compared to placebo plus abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone, in adult male patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, previously untreated mCRPC.
The co-primary endpoints of the study are investigator-determined radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) in the overall study population, as well as a subpopulation whose tumors have PTEN loss, as assessed by immunohistochemistry. PFS in the study is defined as the time from date of randomization to the first occurrence of disease progression or death from any cause, whichever occurs earlier. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, safety, time to pain progression, time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy and time to function deterioration.
About ipatasertib
Ipatasertib is an oral, highly specific, investigational medicine designed to target and bind to all three isoforms of AKT, which blocks the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and may prevent cancer cell growth and survival.
Ipatasertib is being studied in tumors that are frequently found to have activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, including breast and prostate cancers. Clinical studies are ongoing to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ipatasertib and the opportunity it may provide to address significant unmet needs for patients with these diseases.
Ipatasertib was discovered at Genentech in partnership with Array BioPharma Inc. (acquired by Pfizer Inc. on July 30, 2019).
About metastatic prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancers among men worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 190,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) is when the disease has spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body (metastasized). Although most men are cured with treatment of localized disease, recurrent or newly diagnosed metastatic disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Prostate cancer cells are fueled by androgens, which are male sex hormones including testosterone. Primary treatment of advanced prostate cancer includes androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to reduce androgen levels in the body to near castration levels. Although most patients with mPC initially respond to ADT, effective treatments are still needed for when resistance develops and disease progresses to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The majority of men will die of mCRPC, with a median life expectancy of less than three years.
About Genentech
Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.
