BerGenBio's Advanced Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer Trial: A Promising Step Towards Targeted Therapy

BerGenBio ASA, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced the enrollment of the first patient in a Phase Ib/II clinical trial (NCT 06516887) for the treatment of advanced adenocarcinoma lung cancer. The trial, sponsored by the Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, is investigating the combination of bemcentinib, a selective AXL inhibitor, and pacritinib, a JAK2 inhibitor, in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma.



The primary objective of the trial is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerated dose of the combination therapy. Secondary objectives include assessing the overall response rate and progression-free survival in treated patients. The trial is expected to enroll a total of 44 patients, with varying doses of bemcentinib and pacritinib being studied in the combination to determine the optimal dose and schedule.

The combination of bemcentinib and pacritinib is based on preclinical data suggesting that AXL and JAK-STAT3 pathways work in tandem to promote tumor growth and metastasis in advanced lung cancer. By targeting both pathways simultaneously, the combination therapy may enhance the overall efficacy against the disease. Additionally, bemcentinib has been shown to improve the response to immune checkpoint inhibition in STK11m patient-derived preclinical models and in early clinical studies, further supporting the potential benefits of the combination therapy.

The enrollment of the first patient in this trial marks a significant milestone for BerGenBio and the broader lung cancer community. The high unmet medical need in advanced adenocarcinoma lung cancer patients, coupled with the promising preclinical and early clinical data, highlights the potential of targeted therapies like bemcentinib and pacritinib in improving patient outcomes. As the trial progresses, investors and the scientific community will eagerly await the results, which could pave the way for a new treatment option in this challenging disease setting.

In conclusion, BerGenBio's advanced adenocarcinoma lung cancer trial represents a promising step towards targeted therapy in lung cancer. The combination of bemcentinib and pacritinib has the potential to improve patient outcomes and address the significant unmet medical need in this patient population. As the trial progresses, investors and the scientific community will closely monitor the results, which could have a significant impact on the future of lung cancer treatment.