ESMO 2024: Positive Phase II results for Pfizer’s ponsegromab in cancer cachexia

The Phase II study of ponsegromab, a monoclonal antibody directed against growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), met its primary endpoint of change from baseline in body weight compared to placebo in people with cancer cachexia and elevated levels of GDF-15, said US pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).

Cachexia is a common, life-threatening wasting condition that can significantly impact quality of life in affected patients with cancer. Results were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2024 Congress and have simultaneously been published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

“Cachexia is a common condition in cancer patients, associated with weight loss, functional decline, and ultimately poor outcomes. Despite the number of people suffering from cachexia, there are no available options for us to help treat patients,” said Dr Jeffrey Crawford, George Barth Geller Professor for Research at Duke Cancer Institute, and principal investigator. “This study showed us those who received ponsegromab had improvement in body weight, muscle mass, quality of life, and physical function. These findings offer hope that a breakthrough targeted treatment is potentially on the horizon for our patients,” he opined.