AstraZeneca opts for adaptive trial for brain cancer drug candidate

AstraZeneca’s brain cancer candidate, AZD1390, will be tested using an adaptive clinical trial in a deal with the Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (GCAR).

Under the agreement, the US nonprofit will test the drug alongside other treatments in an ongoing trial called GBM AGILE (Glioblastoma Adaptive Global Innovative Learning Environment, NCT03970447) that is due to start recruiting next year.

GBM AGILE is designed to identify effective therapies for patients with glioblastoma more rapidly than traditional trials. The protocol allows for multiple therapies or combinations thereof from different pharmaceutical companies to be evaluated simultaneously against a common control arm.

Patrick Wen, director, Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who will serve as the principal investigator for the trial arms involving AZD1390 welcomed the opportunity to evaluate the AstraZeneca product.

“There is an urgent need for new, tolerable, and effective therapies to treat glioblastoma. GBM AGILE is a revolutionary, patient-centered, potentially registration-enabling, adaptive platform trial for glioblastoma.

“We are excited to include AZD1390 in GBM AGILE, based on encouraging data from previous studies, showing encouraging preliminary efficacy in heavily treated recurrent glioblastoma patients and potential for AZD1390 to act as a radiosensitizer. This investigational drug has the potential to support improved outcomes for glioblastoma patients.”

This was echoed by Meredith Buxton, GCAR CEO, who said, “We are delighted to collaborate with AstraZeneca and look forward to expediting the evaluation of AZD1390 in GBM AGILE for the treatment of glioblastoma, a devastating disease with a critical need for more effective treatments.”

She added, “GCAR is committed to accelerating the development of life-changing treatments for patients with rare and deadly diseases such as glioblastoma. We believe that adaptive platform trials have the potential to achieve that mission and make a profound difference for patients.”

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