UCB, a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, posted first results of its phase II exploratory study of CDP791, a specific VEGFR-2/KDR inhibitor, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in first line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Positive improvements were observed on several efficacy endpoints including tumour response rate and time to tumour progression. The data support further late stage clinical development of the drug in first line NSCLC. UCB will now work on the consequent clinical development plans and is evaluating partnership options.

The primary efficacy variable was tumour response rate as assessed by independent review. A 17.7 per cent improvement in the tumour response rate was observed between the higher dose 20mg/kg CDP791 plus chemotherapy treatment arm (37.7 per cent) and the chemotherapy alone treatment arm (20.0 per cent).

The risk of tumour progression was reduced by 32 per cent for patients receiving 20mg/kg CDP791 plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. Patients who received 20mg/kg CDP791 plus chemotherapy had a median time to progression of 30.1 weeks compared to 27.3 weeks for patients receiving chemotherapy alone. While progression-free survival did not show a treatment effect in this exploratory phase II trial, preliminary analysis of overall survival is sufficiently encouraging to support further development of the molecule.

This multi-centre trial was conducted in two parts and enrolled patients with locally advanced and metastatic (Stage IIIb or Stage IV) non-squamous NSCLC. In part one the tolerability of 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg CDP791 plus standard carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy was assessed in two cohorts of patients. Both doses were well tolerated. In part two, 156 patients were randomized to one of three treatment arms; 20mg/kg CD791 plus chemotherapy, 10mg/kg CDP791 plus chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone for 6 cycles. Thereafter, eligible patients crossed over to CDP791 treatment alone. An independent Data Monitoring Committee reviewed an interim safety dataset and emerging safety data.

CDP791 is a PEGylated, humanised di-Fab fragment specifically inhibiting VEGFR-2 activation by its ligands VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D. As CDP791 does not contain an Fc part, its activity is entirely due to its potent blocking ability. CDP791 binds specifically to VEGFR-2 and blocks all signaling through this receptor. This is a different mechanism of action from any of the marketed VEGF inhibitors and is a novel point of attack on the VEGF pathway. VEGFR-2 is a key component of the angiogenesis pathway involved in formation of new blood vessels supporting tumour growth.

CDP791 has been shown to potently inhibit binding of VEGF to VEGFR-2 in vitro, and has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis in pharmacological models.