- 现金
- 17064 元
- 精华
- 12
- 帖子
- 9399
- 注册时间
- 2007-6-26
- 最后登录
- 2017-11-25
|
Rationale for treatment with birinapant
Like cancer cells, cells that are infected with certain viruses may escape apoptosis. We have conducted pre‑clinical studies to evaluate the potential development of birinapant as an infectious disease therapeutic to overcome this “escape‑from‑apoptosis” in infected cells. We believe this is a novel approach. There are no drugs currently on the market that specifically target the IAPs and thereby induce apoptosis in virally infected cells as a strategy for therapy. Using a mouse model of HBV, birinapant was well tolerated and showed activity in the clearance of cells infected with HBV. The clearance was additive when given in combination with entecavir. Birinapant caused a decline in HBV surface antigen and the appearance of anti-HBsAG antibodies whereas entecavir did not, implying a different mechanism of action. Pre-clinical studies are ongoing to determine the spectrum of potential therapeutic activity of birinapant in other infectious diseases. Consistent with these results, birinapant demonstrated activity at clinically achievable study drug exposures in studies of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, in human blood cells in vitro. It was also active in a mouse model of tuberculosis and in a mouse model of Legionella. We have entered into a research collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, or WEHI, based in Melbourne, Australia, to examine SMAC-mimetics, including birinapant, in the treatment of infectious disease.
Clinical Trials
In July 2015, we announced that we intend to initiate a combination single ascending dose/multiple ascending dose clinical trial, with birinapant as a single agent, in chronic HBV subjects. These subjects will not be taking other antiviral medication. In the single ascending dose phase of the trial, subjects will be given a single dose of birinapant. The dose of birinapant will be escalated until at least one of the subjects shows evidence of activity, defined as an increase in liver transaminases and/or a decline in circulating viral DNA. At that point the cohort will be expanded and additional subjects will each receive four weekly administrations, at that dose, of birinapant. The starting dose of birinapant will be 2.8 mg/m2. We have retained a clinical research organization and currently expect to initiate this trial at multiple sites in India in early 2016. Timing of results will depend upon enrollment rates and upon the cohort in which activity, if any, is seen. |
|