Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach. It is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The prognosis for gastric cancer is poor, with a five-year survival rate of only 30%. However, Astellas, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, is in the process of creating a novel medication that could potentially improve the prognosis for patients with gastric cancer.
The medication being developed by Astellas is called ASP1951, and it is a monoclonal antibody that targets a protein called claudin18.2. This protein is overexpressed in approximately 60% of gastric cancers, making it an attractive target for therapy. By targeting claudin18.2, ASP1951 has the potential to selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
ASP1951 has shown promising results in preclinical studies. In a study published in the journal Cancer Science, researchers found that ASP1951 inhibited the growth of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, ASP1951 was well-tolerated in animal models, with no significant adverse effects observed.
Astellas has also conducted a phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ASP1951 in patients with advanced solid tumors, including gastric cancer. The trial enrolled 40 patients, and the results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in 2020. The trial found that ASP1951 was well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. Additionally, two patients with gastric cancer had partial responses to ASP1951 treatment, indicating that the medication has potential as a treatment for gastric cancer.
Astellas is currently conducting a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of ASP1951 in patients with advanced gastric cancer. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 200 patients and will evaluate the safety and efficacy of ASP1951 in combination with chemotherapy.
If ASP1951 proves to be effective in treating gastric cancer, it could potentially improve the prognosis for patients with this disease. Currently, the standard of care for gastric cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, these treatments have limited efficacy, and there is a significant need for new therapies that can improve patient outcomes.
In conclusion, Astellas is in the process of creating a novel medication for the treatment of gastric cancer. ASP1951 is a monoclonal antibody that targets claudin18.2, a protein that is overexpressed in approximately 60% of gastric cancers. Preclinical and early clinical studies have shown promising results, and Astellas is currently conducting a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of ASP1951 in patients with advanced gastric cancer. If ASP1951 proves to be effective, it could potentially improve the prognosis for patients with this disease and provide a much-needed new treatment option.
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- Source: Plato Data Intelligence.