Exelixis begins phase 2 study of XL647 in non-small cell lung cancer

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 1 - Exelixis, Inc. said it began a phase 2 trial of XL647, an orally bioavailable small molecule designed to simultaneously inhibit the HER2, EGF, VEGF and EphB4 receptor tyrosine kinases in patients with advanced (stage 3B or 4) non-small cell lung cancer.

The primary objectives of the multi-center, open-label phase 2 study are to determine the response rate of subjects with non-small cell lung cancer treated with XL647 and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of XL647. Secondary objectives include assessment of progression-free survival and duration of response.

To be included in the proof-of-concept trial, participants must meet at least two of the following criteria: Asian, female, non-smoker or adenocarcinoma, according to a company news release.

"We believe that simultaneously inhibiting this spectrum of targets may provide greater efficacy than has been achieved to date by inhibiting these targets individually," president and chief executive officer George A. Scangos said in the release.

"As a single compound optimized for potency, activity, safety and tolerability, we believe the safety and tolerability profile of XL647 may be better than those from combinations of drugs designed to inhibit individual targets."

Exelixis is a biotechnology company located in South San Francisco, Calif.

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