Clinical Significance of Patient Data
CTC clusters have long been recognized as critical mediators of metastasis and markers of poor prognosis. They are known to resist apoptosis, evade immune
detection, and seed new tumor sites with exceptional efficiency. Notably, standard chemotherapy has been shown in some studies to transiently increase CTC and cluster counts within the first cycle, with levels sometimes doubling before normalizing
after cycle two. In contrast, immunotherapy alone has demonstrated variable impact, often showing delayed or modest effects on CTCs, likely due to immune-mediated mechanisms over weeks to months.
In this case, the combination regimen of Paxalisib and immunotherapy achieved a rapid reduction in both CTC numbers and clusters as well as a reduction in the
mesenchymal phenotypean outcome not typically seen with chemotherapy or immunotherapy alone after only 21 days of treatment. This early clinical data reflects mechanistic synergy consistent with the preclinical data described in the MCT
manuscript.
Dr. John Friend, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Kazia Therapeutics, said It is very exciting to see our extensive preclinical
research translate into such positive early data in this first patient receiving a combination of Paxalisib and immunotherapy. The degree of reduction in tumor cell dissemination markers in just 21 days gives us strong reason for optimism as we
continue this clinical trial.
Dr. Friend continued CTC clusters are emerging as key drivers of metastatic spreadtheyre
20100X more efficient at seeding than single CTCsand the sharp decline were seeing is truly encouraging. We believe this combination may offer a meaningful early intervention against systemic disease progression.
Next Steps
- Explore potential relationship between CTC
kinetics and radiographic responses
- Enrollment continues in the Phase Ib study, expanding cohort size to assess safety, tolerability, and
pharmacodynamics
- Planned comprehensive analysis of immune microenvironment and CTC kinetics across all patients through serial monitoring
- Longer-term follow-up will include imaging, progression-free survival, and assessment of correlation with molecular
biomarkers
For investor and media, please contact Alex Star, Managing Director LifeSci Advisors LLC, Astarr@lifesciadvisors.com, +1-201-786-8795.
About Kazia
Therapeutics Limited
Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA) is an oncology-focused drug development company, based in Sydney, Australia. Our lead
program is paxalisib, an investigational