Advanced Cancer Therapeutics Begins Phase 1 Human Trials For Anti-Cancer Drug

Advanced Cancer Therapeutics LLC has announced that it is beginning a phase 1 trial of a new anti-cancer drug called PFK-158. The drug works by starving cancer cells of the glucose that they need in order to fuel growth and multiply.

The trial began to recruit patients in May, a process which hasn’t yet been completed. Dr. Jason A. Chesney, the deputy director of the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, noted that the drug is the first to target glucose by inhibiting PFKFB3, which limits the ability of the cell to grow and spread. The drug has already been tested in mice, and was found to reduce both the uptake of glucose and the growth of cancer cells.

The candidate is being evaluated for safety, efficacy, and tolerability in patients with melanoma, lung, colon, breast, and pancreatic cancer, though, the drug has the potential to be used across a wide spectrum of cancer tumors because of its unique mechanism, said Chesney. He also stated that it was rewarding to see a drug that was developed in an academic setting being put into a clinical trial to save patients’ lives.

Randall B. Riggs, the president and CEO of ACT, also released a statement on the beginning of the drug’s phase 1 trial. “This is a significant milestone for ACT, and it supports our dedication to develop significant treatment advancements for cancer patients with first-in-class, potential breakthrough therapeutics like PFK-158, he said.

Advanced Cancer Therapeutics, or ACT, is a private company that is looking to develop new innovative cancer therapies for the market. PFK-158 was created at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville and was licensed by ACT for commercial use around the world. The cancer center is a hub for research and medical developments. The first site of the trial will be the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, and additional sites include Georgetown University’s Medical Center.