Cantargia's Nadunolimab: A Promising Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer

Cantargia AB, a Swedish biotechnology company, has recently published strong Phase 2 clinical data for its antibody-based treatment, nadunolimab (CAN04), in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer (PDAC) in the scientific journal Clinical Cancer Research. The results indicate that nadunolimab, when combined with chemotherapy, offers improved efficacy and a neuroprotective effect compared to chemotherapy alone.

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis, and current treatment options have limited success. The median overall survival (OS) for patients with metastatic PDAC is less than 5% at 5 years. Cantargia's nadunolimab targets the protein IL1RAP, which is involved in tumor-promoting IL-1 signaling and is upregulated in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer.

In the CANFOUR trial, 73 first-line PDAC patients were treated with nadunolimab and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GN). The median OS of 13.2 months was longer than reported in Phase 3 trials for GN alone (8.5-9.2 months), FOLFIRINOX (11.1 months), or NALIRIFOX (11.1 months). Notably, patients with high tumor levels of IL1RAP, the target of nadunolimab, had a median OS of 14.2 months, compared to 10.6 months for the IL1RAP low subgroup (p=0.026).

The addition of nadunolimab to GN was generally well-tolerated, with an increased incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia, which could be managed with prophylactic use of growth factor support. Importantly, the incidence of peripheral neuropathy was lower than expected from chemotherapy treatment alone. Only one grade 3 event was observed, and a statistically significant relationship between nadunolimab dose level and onset of neuropathy was noted (p=0.042). This suggests that nadunolimab may confer a protective effect on the development of neuropathy.

Cantargia's CEO, Göran Forsberg, stated, "The efficacy results and the observed neuroprotective effect of nadunolimab are clearly intriguing. We are proud of this publication in one of the leading oncology journals and look forward to the increased visibility and upcoming steps in the development of nadunolimab."

The publication of these results in Clinical Cancer Research highlights the potential of nadunolimab as a promising treatment for pancreatic cancer. The improved efficacy and neuroprotective effect could significantly impact patient quality of life and treatment compliance. As Cantargia continues to develop nadunolimab, investors should closely monitor the progress of this innovative therapy, which could offer a much-needed new treatment option for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.