Australian biotech company Starpharma announces positive interim results from the prostate cancer cohort in its ongoing phase 2 trial of DEP® cabazitaxel

Starpharma's interim results in Stage IV prostate cancer show that one or more efficacy signals[2] were observed in 100% of patients assessed following DEP® cabazitaxel treatment. Starpharma 's interim results in Stage IV prostate cancer show that one or more efficacy signals [2]were observed in 100% of patients assessed following DEP ®cabazitaxel treatment. Starpharma's positive interim results  are particularly significant given all patients in this cohort had late-stage prostate...

Starpharma's interim results in Stage IV prostate cancer show that one or more efficacy signals^[2] were observed in 100% of patients assessed following DEP^® cabazitaxel treatment.

Starpharma's positive interim results are particularly significant given all patients in this cohort had late-stage prostate cancer and had failed multiple anti-cancer treatments, in addition to surgeries and radiation, prior to entering the DEP^® cabazitaxel trial.

Importantly, patients treated with DEP^® cabazitaxel also experienced less severe bone marrow toxicity, significantly lower rates of severe neutropenia and no instances of neutropenic sepsis, which are associated with conventional cabazitaxel. The absence of detergent-like polysorbate-80 in the DEP^® cabazitaxel formulation eliminated the need for prophylactic corticosteroids and antihistamines, with no anaphylaxis or severe hypersensitivity reactions observed. This avoidance of long-term steroid use is attractive, particularly in prostate cancer patients where bone health can be a significant issue.

DEP^® cabazitaxel is one of Starpharma's three internal clinical-stage DEP^® assets, alongside DEP^® docetaxel and DEP^® irinotecan, which Starpharma intends to licence following phase 2. Starpharma also has a number of partnered DEP^® programs including with AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc.