Press Release
<< Back
Verastem Initiates COMMAND: A Registration-Directed Trial of Defactinib in Patients with Mesothelioma
COMMAND is a registration-directed, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) as the primary endpoints. The study incorporates the opportunity to enrich for patients with tumors low in the biomarker, merlin. Preclinical and early clinical research has demonstrated that low merlin levels are predictive of increased effectiveness of FAK inhibitors such as defactinib. The COMMAND study will stratify patients to evaluate the effect of defactinib in both the overall patient population and the subgroup that are merlin low.
“FAK inhibition holds significant potential in malignant pleural
mesothelioma, a cancer whose aggressiveness and treatment resistance
proves all too often to be devastating for patients,” said Dr.
COMMAND is expected to enroll approximately 350-400 patients at clinical
sites in 11 countries, including the US,
“The incidence of mesothelioma, among the most aggressive and lethal
cancers, is increasing worldwide, underscoring an urgent need to expand
the very limited treatment options for patients fighting this disease,”
said Professor
“Timely initiation of this study marks yet another important milestone
in our development of defactinib, and highlights the diligent execution
of our clinical strategy by Verastem’s research and development team,”
said
In addition to defactinib in mesothelioma,
About Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that
occurs in the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that covers the
lungs. Mesothelioma is associated with exposure to asbestos in most
cases. According to the
About Defactinib
Defactinib (VS-6063) is an oral compound designed to target cancer stem
cells through the potent inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK).
Cancer stem cells are an underlying cause of tumor resistance to
chemotherapy, recurrence and ultimate disease progression. Research by
About Verastem, Inc.
Forward-looking statements:
This press release includes forward-looking statements about the
Company’s strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements
regarding the development of the Company’s compounds, including VS-6063,
VS-4718 and VS-5584, and the Company’s FAK, PI3K/mTOR and diagnostic
programs generally, the timeline for clinical development and regulatory
approval of the Company’s compounds, the expected timing for the
reporting of data from ongoing trials, the structure of the Company’s
planned or pending clinical trials and estimates of the Company’s
ability to fund operations. The words “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,”
“target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,”
and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these
identifying words. Each forward-looking statement is subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied in such statement. Applicable risks and
uncertainties include the risks that the preclinical testing of the
Company’s compounds and preliminary data from clinical trials may not be
predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials, that data
may not be available when we expect it to be that the Company will be
unable to successfully complete the clinical development of its
compounds, including VS-6063, VS-4718 and VS-5584, that the development
of the Company’s compounds will take longer or cost more than planned,
and that the Company’s compounds will not receive regulatory approval or
become commercially successful products. Other risks and uncertainties
include those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Source:
Verastem, Inc.
Brian Sullivan, 617-252-9314
bsullivan@verastem.com