Actuate Therapeutics Announces Positive Patient Outcomes from Phase 1 Trial in Difficult-to-Treat Refractory Pediatric Cancers

Rhea-AI Summary

Actuate Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ACTU) reported Phase 1 results from the Actuate-1902 study of elraglusib in 40 pediatric patients (ages 3–21) with relapsed/refractory cancers on Jan 6, 2026. Clinical responses or disease control were observed in 15 of 40 patients, including 10 of 19 treated with elraglusib plus cyclophosphamide/topotecan.

Notable outcomes include two Complete Metabolic Responses (CMRs) in relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma, one Complete Response (CR) in metastatic neuroblastoma, a 60% tumor reduction in a lung lesion, and additional partial responses and prolonged stable disease. The company received Rare Pediatric Designations from FDA for Ewing sarcoma and neuroblastoma and plans to advance development in 2026.

Positive

• Clinical responses or disease control in 15 of 40 patients
• 10 of 19 responses with elraglusib plus cyclophosphamide/topotecan
• Two CMRs reported in relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma
• One CR reported in relapsed/refractory metastatic neuroblastoma
• FDA Rare Pediatric Designations granted for Ewing sarcoma and neuroblastoma
• Prolonged treatment with ongoing monotherapy without progression in at least one patient

Negative

• Early-stage evidence: Phase 1 data from 40 patients is not definitive
• Heterogeneous prior treatments across patients (2–11 prior therapies) complicate interpretation
• No randomized control or PFS/OS metrics reported to quantify clinical benefit

News Market Reaction

+5.05%

4 alerts

+5.05% News Effect

+8.0% Peak Tracked

+$8M Valuation Impact

$164M Market Cap

0.1x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, ACTU gained 5.05%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +8.0% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 4 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $8M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $164M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Complete metabolic responses: 2 CMRs Complete response: 1 CR Clinical benefit rate: 15 of 40 patients +5 more

8 metrics

Complete metabolic responses 2 CMRs Relapsed/refractory metastatic Ewing sarcoma patients in Phase 1 pediatric trial

Complete response 1 CR Relapsed/refractory metastatic neuroblastoma patient in Phase 1 pediatric trial

Clinical benefit rate 15 of 40 patients Clinical responses or disease control across refractory pediatric cancers

Combo regimen benefit 10 of 19 patients Responses or disease control with elraglusib plus cyclophosphamide/topotecan

Tumor reduction 60% reduction Lung target lesion in Ewing sarcoma patient achieving PR with CMR

Complete tumor decrease 100% decrease Piriformis muscle tumor in Ewing sarcoma patient with CR and CMR by PET

DSRCT response 52.6% decrease Liver/lung target lesions in DSRCT patient with partial response

Prolonged stable disease 54 weeks Ependymoma patient with stable disease on irinotecan combination

Market Reality Check

Price: $4.73 Vol: Volume 45,973 is below th...

low vol

$4.73 Last Close

Volume Volume 45,973 is below the 20-day average 101,737 (relative volume 0.45). low

Technical Price 6.34 is trading below the 200-day MA 7.58 and well under the 52-week high 11.99.

Peers on Argus

Within Biotechnology peers, moves were mixed: CRDF +5.58%, GLSI +7.56% up, while...

Within Biotechnology peers, moves were mixed: CRDF +5.58%, GLSI +7.56% up, while AVTX -5.71%, ONCY -2.53%, and NVCT -0.70% declined, suggesting ACTU’s +5.14% gain was more stock-specific.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 18 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 18	Clinical data selection	Positive	+2.3%	Phase 2 pancreatic cancer data selected for oral and poster at ASCO GI.
Dec 15	Clinical data update	Positive	-8.8%	Positive Phase II salivary gland carcinoma results with elraglusib combinations.
Sep 22	Regulatory preparation	Positive	+6.8%	Updated FDA IND with pancreatic cancer data showing OS benefit and durability.
Sep 11	Equity offering close	Negative	-4.2%	Closing of $17.25M common stock offering including over-allotment exercise.
Sep 10	Equity offering pricing	Negative	-19.1%	Pricing of $15.0M common stock offering at $7.00 per share under shelf.

Pattern Detected

Clinical trial news has often moved the stock, with mostly aligned reactions and one notable divergence on positive data.

Recent Company History

Over the last six months, Actuate has repeatedly highlighted elraglusib across cancers. Clinical trial updates on metastatic pancreatic cancer and salivary gland carcinoma in June–December 2025 produced mixed price reactions, while a $17.25 million offering in September 2025 weighed on shares. Earlier Ewing sarcoma Phase 1 data in July 2025 already showed complete and partial responses. Today’s pediatric refractory cancer update extends that efficacy narrative into a broader, difficult-to-treat population.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-09-02

Actuate has an active Form S-3 shelf filed on 2025-09-02, allowing future offerings of securities such as common stock, debt, warrants, or units via prospectus supplements. The shelf has already supported at least 2 takedowns (424B5 filings on 2025-09-09 and 2025-09-10), indicating the company can access equity markets for additional capital as needed.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock moved +5.0% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with Act...

Analysis

The stock moved +5.0% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with Actuate’s history of meaningful moves on clinical data, where prior trial news averaged about 4.53% price shifts. The pediatric Ewing sarcoma and neuroblastoma responses reinforce earlier elraglusib signals. However, prior equity offerings under the S-3 shelf and going-concern language in recent filings highlighted ongoing financing needs, which could affect how durable any enthusiasm around these data becomes.

Key Terms

complete metabolic responses, complete response, partial response, stable disease, +4 more

8 terms

complete metabolic responses medical

"Two Complete Metabolic Responses (CMRs) observed in patients with relapsed/refractory..."

Complete metabolic response describes a medical imaging result showing no detectable disease activity after treatment, typically measured by scans that pick up the chemical signals of active cells. For investors, it is important because it is a strong early sign that a therapy is working—similar to a dashboard light turning off— which can improve the chances of regulatory approval, boost commercial prospects, and influence a company’s valuation.

complete response medical

"one Complete Response (CR) observed in a patient with relapsed/refractory metastatic..."

A complete response is a positive outcome in which a company’s efforts to address issues or questions fully resolve the problem, often meaning that no further action or investigation is needed. For investors, it signals that concerns have been thoroughly addressed, which can boost confidence in the company's stability or decision-making. Think of it like a doctor fully treating an illness, leaving no remaining symptoms.

partial response medical

"achieved a CMR with Partial Response (PR) (60% reduction in tumor size)..."

A partial response is a clinical outcome where a treatment produces a clear, measurable improvement in a disease — for example a substantial shrinkage of a tumor or reduction in symptom measures — but does not eliminate the disease entirely. For investors it signals meaningful efficacy that can support regulatory progress, further trials, or commercial potential, like seeing a product gain market traction even though it hasn’t achieved a complete cure.

stable disease medical

"had a first response at week 9 (Cycle 3) of stable disease (SD), with a best..."

Stable disease describes a situation in a clinical trial or treatment where a patient’s condition neither meaningfully improves nor worsens—tumors don’t shrink significantly but also don’t grow. For investors, this signal can matter because it shows a therapy may halt progression, which can support regulatory decisions, extend patient benefit and influence a drug’s commercial prospects; think of it as a stalled race where forward movement has paused but relapse hasn’t accelerated.

best overall response medical

"had a first response at week 9 (Cycle 3) of stable disease (SD), with a best overall..."

Best overall response is the single best change in a patient’s disease status observed during a clinical trial while they are on a treatment, measured from the start of therapy until the disease gets worse; it reflects outcomes such as tumor shrinkage, stabilization, or progression. Like a peak score in a game that shows how well a strategy performed, it gives investors a clear, comparable signal of a drug’s effectiveness that can affect regulatory approval prospects, physician uptake and commercial value.

phase 1/2 clinical study medical

"phase 1 portion of its phase 1/2 clinical study evaluating elraglusib as a monotherapy..."

A phase 1/2 clinical study is an early-stage human trial that combines two goals: first to test safety and find the right dose in a small group, and then to look for initial signs that the treatment works. For investors it’s like a prototype test drive — successful results reduce the biggest early risks, unlock value-driving milestones (funding, partnerships, larger trials) and inform how likely the program is to reach the market.

glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta medical

"through the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), today announced..."

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta is a cellular enzyme that acts like a molecular switch, turning other proteins on or off by adding small chemical tags; it helps control processes such as cell survival, metabolism and memory-related pathways. Investors watch it because drugs that block or modify this enzyme are a common target for treatments in areas like neurodegeneration, diabetes and cancer, and progress or setbacks in that research can materially affect the value and risk of companies developing such therapies.

relapsed/refractory medical

"pediatric patients ages 3 – 21 with relapsed (>2 remissions)/refractory cancers..."

Relapsed/refractory describes a disease, usually cancer, that has returned after treatment (relapsed) or that did not respond to initial therapy (refractory). For investors this signals a high medical need and a defined patient group for new treatments — like a market of cars that won’t start with a standard key — which can affect drug development priorities, trial designs, potential pricing and commercial opportunity.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Two Complete Metabolic Responses (CMRs) observed in patients with relapsed/refractory metastatic Ewing sarcoma and one Complete Response (CR) observed in a patient with relapsed/refractory metastatic neuroblastoma
• Clinical responses and disease control observed in 15 of 40 patients with difficult-to-treat refractory pediatric cancers, including 10 of 19 patients treated with elraglusib plus cyclophosphamide/topotecan
• Data support advancing clinical development of elraglusib in Ewing sarcoma and potentially neuroblastoma in 2026; Company has been granted Rare Pediatric Designations from the FDA for both indications
  

CHICAGO and FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Actuate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACTU) (“Actuate” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for the treatment of high-impact, difficult-to-treat cancers through the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), today announced results from the phase 1 portion of its phase 1/2 clinical study evaluating elraglusib as a monotherapy or in combination with irinotecan, irinotecan plus temozolomide, or with cyclophosphamide plus topotecan in pediatric patients with refractory malignancies (Actuate-1902; NCT 04239092).

The Actuate-1902 trial was an open-label, multicenter phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of elraglusib in 40 pediatric patients ages 3 – 21 with relapsed (>2 remissions)/refractory cancers, including Ewing sarcoma (EWS), neuroblastoma, Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors, non-EWS sarcomas, and other refractory pediatric malignancies.

Importantly, data from the Phase 1 trial showed clinical responses in relapsed/refractory EWS, which is viewed as positive evidence of clinical activity in this difficult-to-treat indication. Following initial responses observed in the Actuate-1902 clinical study, the Company plans to advance clinical development of elraglusib in children, adolescents, and adults with relapsed/refractory EWS, while assessing collaborative development programs in neuroblastoma and other pediatric indications with leading pediatric consortia and Key Opinion Leaders to align future studies with patient needs and regulatory expectations.

“Elraglusib continues to exhibit the potential to extend and improve the lives of patients in disease settings where specific treatment options are extremely limited,” said Daniel Schmitt, President & Chief Executive Officer of Actuate. “In the 1902 trial, we observed early signals of significant efficacy in EWS, neuroblastoma and Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT), showing that elraglusib’s unique mechanism of action can play an important role in multiple difficult-to-treat cancers. We plan to initiate additional clinical trials in 2026 that expedite a registration pathway for the program in patients with Ewing sarcoma and potentially advancing elraglusib in neuroblastoma”.

Actuate-1902 Key Study Highlights

• Elraglusib in combination with Cyclophosphamide and Topotecan Regimen:
  
  • Clinical responses and disease control observed in 10 of 19 patients with relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma and neuroblastoma.
    
    • One patient with six prior treatments for EWS achieved a CMR with Partial Response (PR) (60% reduction in tumor size) of a lung target lesion. The patient completed 30 weeks (Cycle 10) on treatment. Long term treatment with elraglusib monotherapy is continuing without disease progression outside of the study.
      
    • One patient with four prior treatments for EWS (+EWSR1 translocation) was identified as a CR (BOR) at week 9 (Cycle 3) with CT showing a 100% decrease in piriformis muscle tumor compared to baseline (CMR by PET).
      
    • One patient with six prior treatments for unfavorable neuroblastoma histology (Indeterminate MYCN, ALK, and ploidy) had a first response at week 9 (Cycle 3) of stable disease (SD), with a best overall response (BOR) of complete bone marrow response identified at week 27 (Cycle 9).
    • One patient with 10 prior treatments for DSRCT achieved a PR (52.6% decrease in liver/lung target lesions compared to baseline). Non-target lesions included multiple lung and liver lesions, which were not present at the end of treatment.
    • Six patients (osteosarcoma, anaplastic ependymoma, glioblastoma multiforme, and four EWS) with prior treatments ranging from 2 to 11, achieved BORs of stable disease.
      

• Elraglusib in combination with Irinotecan Regimen:
  • Four patients (neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma (a high-risk variant with an unfavorable prognosis)) achieved BOR of stable disease. 
    • One patient with neuroblastoma achieved a 35% reduction in tumor burden between baseline and week 9 (Cycle 3).
      
  • One patient with ependymoma experienced stable disease with a prolonged time to progression of 54 weeks.
    

About Actuate-1902 
Actuate-1902 was an open-label, multicenter phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of elraglusib in forty (40) pediatric patients ages 3 to 21 with relapsed (>2 remissions)/refractory cancers, including EWS, neuroblastoma, CNS tumors, non-EWS sarcomas, and other refractory pediatric malignancies. The phase 1 dose escalation portion of the trial was designed primarily to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of elraglusib as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy. While an MTD was not reached, initial evidence of anti-tumor activity was observed, particularly when elraglusib is administered with a standard cyclophosphamide and topotecan regimen. The phase 1 portion of this study was closed in July 2025.

About Ewing Sarcoma
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is a small round blue cell tumor defined by a recurring cytogenetic fusion event involving the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 gene (EWSR1) and the Erythroblast Transformation Specific (ETS) transcription family. EWS is derived from primordial bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells, which originate in bone and soft tissue and constitute the second most common bone tumor in children and adolescents, most commonly occurring in white adolescents with a median age of 15 years.

For patients with metastatic disease up-front, 5-year survival remains low at 13-30%. The risk of relapse is notable, regardless of upfront disease status, at 30-40% with local disease and 60-80% with primary metastatic disease. Post-relapse, survival is approximately 20% and although new therapeutic approaches have been attempted, there has been no improvement in the prognosis of relapsed EWS. The development of novel therapeutics and clinical trials is essential to advance the prognosis of relapsed/refractory EWS.

About Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that originates in nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest, or spinal cord. This type of cancer often begins in early childhood, usually in children younger than 5 years of age. Sometimes, neuroblastoma forms before birth and is found during a fetal ultrasound. Usually, however, neuroblastoma is diagnosed after it has metastasized. This form of cancer spreads most often to the lymph nodes, bones, bone marrow, liver, and in infants, skin. Approximately 650 children in the United States are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year, according to estimates from the National Cancer Institute.

About Actuate Therapeutics, Inc.
Actuate is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for the treatment of high-impact, difficult-to-treat cancers. Actuate’s lead investigational drug, elraglusib (a novel GSK-3β inhibitor), targets molecular pathways in cancer that are involved in promoting tumor growth and resistance to conventional cancer drugs such as chemotherapy through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) and DNA Damage Response (DDR). Elraglusib may also mediate anti-tumor immunity through the regulation of multiple immune checkpoints and immune cell function. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at http://www.actuatetherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements about us, including our and other parties’ clinical trials and development plans, and our industry. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements, other than statements related to present facts or current conditions or of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions, substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them, including but not limited to that preliminary and unpublished data may be subject to change and further interpretation following the availability of more data or following a more comprehensive review of the data and should not be relied upon as a final analysis; clinical and preclinical drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process with uncertain timelines and outcomes; results of prior preclinical studies, early clinical trials and sub-group studies are not necessarily predictive of future results and may not correlate with improved responses, and elraglusib may not achieve positive clinical results or favorable preclinical results or receive regulatory approval on a timely basis, if at all; that we may not successfully enroll additional patients or establish or advance plans for further development, including through conversations with the FDA or EMA and the standards such bodies may impose for such development; that elraglusib could be associated with side effects, adverse events or other properties or safety risks, which could delay or preclude regulatory approval, cause us to suspend or discontinue clinical trials or result in other negative consequences; our reliance on third parties to conduct our non-clinical studies and our clinical trials; our reliance on third-party licensors and ability to preserve and protect our intellectual property rights; that we face significant competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies; our ability to fund development activities, including because our financial condition raises substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern and we require additional capital to finance our continued operations, and a failure to obtain this necessary capital in the near term on acceptable terms, or at all, could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our development programs, commercialization efforts or other operations. In addition, any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 13, 2025, and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings with the SEC. Because the risk factors referred to above could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Unless legally required, we do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Contact
Mike Moyer
Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Contact
Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D., or David Schull
Russo Partners, LLC
Ignacio.guerrero-ros@russopartnersllc.com
David.schull@russopartnersllc.com
(858) 717-2310 or (646) 942-5604

FAQ

What were the key Phase 1 results for ACTU (elraglusib) announced on January 6, 2026?

The company reported clinical responses or disease control in 15 of 40 pediatric patients, including two CMRs in Ewing sarcoma and one CR in neuroblastoma.

How many patients responded to elraglusib plus cyclophosphamide/topotecan in the ACTU trial?

Clinical responses and disease control were observed in 10 of 19 patients treated with that combination.

Did Actuate receive any regulatory designations for elraglusib in pediatric cancers?

Yes; the company was granted Rare Pediatric Designations from the FDA for both Ewing sarcoma and neuroblastoma.

What notable individual patient outcomes were reported in the ACTU Phase 1 data?

Reported outcomes include a patient with a 60% lung tumor reduction and CMR, a patient with a 100% decrease in a piriformis muscle tumor (CR by PET), and a complete bone marrow response in neuroblastoma at week 27.

Will Actuate advance elraglusib studies in 2026 following the Phase 1 results?

The company plans to advance clinical development in 2026 for relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma and to assess collaborative development in neuroblastoma.