US stock futures flounder amid tech weakness, Fed caution
Investing.com -- Kazia Therapeutics Ltd ADR (NASDAQ:KZIA) stock soared 45% after reporting encouraging preliminary results from the first patient in its Phase 1b trial evaluating a combination cancer treatment regimen.
The company announced that a 61-year-old female patient with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer showed a greater than 50% reduction in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and a notable decrease in CTC clusters after just 21 days of treatment. The investigational regimen combines Kazia’s Paxalisib with pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) and standard chemotherapy.
The early data is particularly significant because CTC clusters are known to be critical mediators of metastasis and markers of poor prognosis. According to Kazia, standard chemotherapy often initially increases CTC counts within the first cycle, while immunotherapy alone typically shows delayed effects.
"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," said Dr. John Friend, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Kazia Therapeutics.
The company also reported a reduction in the mesenchymal phenotype of the remaining CTCs, which is associated with aggressive metastatic cancer cells. Kazia continues to enroll patients in the Phase 1b study to further assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of the combination therapy.
The company plans to explore potential relationships between CTC kinetics and radiographic responses, with longer-term follow-up including imaging and progression-free survival assessments.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.