Phase 1/2 data show Roche’s entrectinib shrinks tumours with NTRK, ROS1 or ALK gene fusions in children & adolescents

pharmafile | May 17, 2019 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development |  Cancer, Roche, entrectinib, pharma 

Roche has unveiled new Phase 1/2 data for its selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor entrectinib, demonstrating its ability to shrink recurrent or refractory solid tumours with and without neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK), ROS1 or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene fusions in adolescent and child patients.

In the trial, all 11 participants entrectinib  responded to the drug, and two even achieved a complete response. Five of the participants, who had primary high-grade tumours of the central nervous system, also registered an objective response.  

In addition, the drug’s safety profile found to be consistent with previous analyses. The data are due to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) at the end of May.  

“We are encouraged by the results we have seen with entrectinib in children with paediatric and adolescent cancers, including those with tumours in the brain,” said Dr Sandra Horning, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “The STARTRK-NG study underscores the importance of combining comprehensive genomic profiling with targeted therapies and supports our approach to providing people with personalised medicines developed specifically for their type of cancer.”

Matt Fellows