AMG 386 Zytiga Combo

AMG 386 is a new antibody injection that targets a protein involved in blood vessel formation to the tumours. Disrupting this blood supply causes the tumours to die off. Zytiga is now a new standard of care for prostate cancer therapy and so other promising agents are being trialed in combination with Zytiga. Combining AMG 386 with Zytiga offers a multitargetted approach which should have a powerful combined effect and this combination is now under clinical investigation.

AMG 386 has already demonstrated its efficacy against ovarian cancer and its effects against prostate cancer will be very interesting.

AMG 386 is a first-in-class investigational “peptibody” (i.e., a combination of a peptide + an antibody) that is designed to block angiogenesis by inhibiting angiopoietin-1 and -2 (Ang1 & Ang2). Angiopoietins interact with the Tie2 receptor, which mediates vascular remodeling. Ang1 and Ang2 are thought to play roles in angiogenesis, and the maturation of blood vessels appears to be controlled by their precise balance.
Associate Professor of Medicine at Monash University in Australia, Gary Richardson, presented data from phase 2 clinical trials against ovarian cancer showing that AMG 386 in combination with paclitaxel not only extends survival, but is well tolerated and reduces the risk of serious complications.
“Currently the prognosis for ovarian cancer patients is poor,” Professor Richardson said. “Over 75% of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer present with advanced disease. Current treatments will cure only about a quarter of these patients.”
“The phase 2 trials show that AMG 386 combined with paclitaxel extends survival of heavily pre-treated patients by almost two thirds (4.6 to 7.2 months). In practical terms, this does not add significantly to survival time for terminal patients, but importantly indicates real potential as a first line treatment immediately following surgery.”
Professor Richardson said the treatment worked by inhibiting angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels grow from existing blood vessels. “By starving the cancer cells of blood supply, they will die in greater numbers. This form of therapy is complementary to current chemotherapy treatment as it uses a different mechanism to target the cancer.”