Phase 2 study of ganetespib for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Synta announced results from its Phase 2 study of ganetespib (STA-9090) for the treatment of NSCLC. The trial is designed to enroll patients with advanced, metastatic disease (Stage IIIB and IV) who have failed prior therapy. Patients are grouped into one of three cohorts based on the genetic profile of their cancer, and are treated with ganetespib, as a monotherapy, once-weekly at a dose of 200mg/m².

Results included an evaluation of adenocarcinoma patients in the EGFR- and K-Ras wild type cohorts of the trial. All patients had advanced stage NSCLC, received multiple prior treatments, and either failed to respond or experienced worsening of disease. Of 33 evaluable patients, three patients achieved durable, confirmed, objective responses; all three currently remain on treatment (1 patient 14 months; 2 patients 6 months). A total of 10 patients achieved target lesion tumor shrinkage; and a total of 22 patients achieved target lesion stabilization (<20% growth).

Ganetespib is a potent, synthetic, small-molecule inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which is a molecular chaperone required for the proper folding and activation of many cancer-promoting proteins, and is recognized as a key facilitator of cancer cell growth and survival. 

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