Johnson & Johnson's prostate cancer drug shrinks tumors in early-stage trial
JNJ•Johnson & Johnson said its experimental oral drug JNJ-6143 shrank or eliminated tumors in an early-stage trial of advanced prostate cancer. Among patients with measurable tumors, 75% had a confirmed complete or partial response.
1. Trial results
The once-daily drug was tested in patients with advanced prostate cancer who had received multiple treatments. At the 50-milligram dose, 77% of 31 evaluable patients had PSA levels fall by at least 50%, while 48% saw declines of at least 90%. Among patients whose tumors could be measured by imaging, 75% had a confirmed complete or partial response.
2. Drug details
JNJ-6143 selectively kills cancer cells by interfering with a protein they need to survive. Johnson & Johnson gained access to the drug through its $3.05 billion acquisition of Halda Therapeutics last year. Common side effects included nausea and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels; one patient stopped treatment because of adverse effects. The data were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress.
