Defactinib plus paclitaxel positive in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

US cancer drug developer Verastem (Nasdaq: VSTM) has announced the confirmation of a complete response in an ongoing trial of VS-6063 (defactinib) in combination with weekly paclitaxel in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

At Verastem’s R&D Day on July 11, Joanna Horobin, chief medical officer, presented preliminary results describing a normalization of CA-125, a biomarker of ovarian cancer progression, and an initial radiologic complete response for one of the patients in the trial. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, or RECIST, is the standard by which investigational drugs are evaluated for activity in oncology studies.

“We have now confirmed the previously-reported complete response by RECIST criteria with a second radiographic scan at the end of cycle four,” said Dr Horobin, adding: “The CA-125 level in this subject with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer normalized after the first cycle of treatment and has remained at normal levels since. We are encouraged by this early result and will continue to follow all patients in this study closely. We plan to report an update on the results of this study at scientific conferences later this year.”