Point Therapeutics summarizes new data evaluating talabostat

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., June 8 - Point Therapeutics, Inc. presented new data evaluating talabostat's antitumor activity in phase 2 studies in advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), metastatic melanoma, metastatic colorectal cancer and in a preclinical osteosarcoma model at the 42nd American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

Talabostat's dual mechanism of action is believed to target a dipeptidyl peptidase (DDP) called fibroblast activation protein expressed in the tumor stroma, while stimulating the immune system through the inhibition of DPP 8 and 9. This enables the body to naturally attack tumors, according to a company news release.

In a phase 2 study of talabostat and rituximab in fludarabine/rituximab-resistant or refractory patients with CLL, median progression-free survival (PFS) in the intent-to-treat population is 3.6 months.

Results to date of Point's single-arm phase 2 trial of talabostat and cisplatin in patients with stage 4 melanoma include stable disease of at least three months in 20 of 43 evaluable patients and an estimated median PFS and survival of 2.8 months and 8.5 months, respectively.

In the phase 2 pharmacodynamic study of the fibroblast activation protein inhibitor Val-boro-Pro in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, six patients (21%) in the study had stable disease at eight weeks and the median time to progression for these patients was 26 weeks.

Talabostat decreased the formation of primary tumors and improved survival in mice in a preclinical study of talabostat in a murine osteosarcoma model.

Point is a Boston-based biopharmaceutical company developing DPP inhibitors for use in cancer, type 2 diabetes and as vaccine adjuvants.

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