Verastem, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSTM), focused on discovering and developing
drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer stem cells,
today announced the presentation of scientific data at the 2015 American
Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting being held April
18-22, 2015 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
“The scientific research presented by both Verastem and our
collaborators this year at AACR continues to highlight the activity of
our compounds in multiple cancer models, including mesothelioma, breast
cancer, small cell lung cancer and hematological malignancies,” said Dr.
Jonathan Pachter, Verastem Head of Research. “The data presented provide
continued evidence that VS-6063, VS-4718 and VS-5584 effectively target
cancer stem cells, reduce tumor initiating capability and prolong the
anti-tumor response to standard of care chemotherapy in preclinical
models of multiple tumor types. The results from these studies support
both ongoing and planned clinical trials. We believe these agents have
the potential to be used alongside standard-of-care treatments, to
address both the cancer stem cells and the bulk tumor cells, as a
strategy to potentially generate more durable responses for patients
with cancer.”
Verastem, and its collaborators, are presenting these scientific data in
support of Verastem’s programs targeting cancer stem cells through
inhibition of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK; VS-6063 and VS-4718) and
PI3K/mTOR (VS-5584) signaling pathways. Research on the FAK and
PI3K/mTOR signaling pathways has revealed critical roles for each in
cancer stem cell survival and disease progression. Cancer stem cells
have tumor-initiating capability, are particularly resistant to
chemotherapy and can mediate tumor recurrence both locally and at
metastatic sites.
Details for the data presentations at AACR are as follows:
Oral Presentation
Title: FAK inhibitors VS-6063 and VS-4718 target cancer stem
cells: Implications for TNBC sequential and combination therapies
Date
and time: Sunday, April 19, 2015, 3:20 pm – 3:35 pm ET
Location:
Room 115
Abstract number: 974
Session: Session
Title: Cancer Stem Cells 1; Session Category: Tumor Biology; Session
Type: Minisymposium
Summary: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has
been shown to lead to an increase in markers of cancer stem cells (CSCs)
in primary breast cancer. The presence of the ALDH cancer stem cell
marker in residual cancer tissue in lymph nodes at surgery after
neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been associated with a significantly worse
prognosis following primary treatment. It is also evident that stem-like
features of tumor cells are present in metastatic breast cancer
indicating that targeting of CSCs may be valuable in metastatic disease.
Verastem’s CSC inhibitors, VS-6063 and VS-4718, diminished CSCs in
vitro, ex vivo and in xenograft models in contrast to
paclitaxel or cisplatin treatment which enriched CSCs. Consistent with
the notion that CSCs are responsible for cancer relapse after
chemotherapy, VS-6063 and VS-4718 substantially delayed tumor growth
following cessation of paclitaxel or cisplatin treatment in models of
triple negative breast cancer. Additionally, both VS-6063 and VS-4718
inhibited metastatic outgrowth and/or induced regression of metastases
after primary tumor resection, whereas metastases progressed in all
animals in the control group. These results support the clinical
investigation of the CSC-targeting agents VS-6063 and VS-4718 in certain
breast cancer settings to potentially delay time to relapse and improve
the treatment outcome.
A copy of the oral presentation is available at http://bit.ly/12otlcV
Poster Presentations
Title: FAK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors target cancer stem cells:
Implications for SCLC treatment strategies
Date and time:
Monday, April 20, 2015, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
Location:
Section 19; Poster Board 24
Abstract Number: 1525
Session:
Session Title: Solid Tumor Stem Cells; Session Category: Tumor Biology
Summary:
In most patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), tumors
initially respond to first line chemotherapy, but subsequently
experience rapid recurrence. In previously reported research,
preclinical models of other cancers demonstrated that CSC populations
are increased following chemotherapy, and that inhibitors of FAK and
PI3K/mTOR have been shown to preferentially target CSCs. FAK and
PI3K/mTOR inhibitors may be particularly valuable in a SCLC setting,
where CSCs may be strong mediators of recurrence. In this study, the
antitumor activity of FAK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors (VS-4718 and VS-5584,
respectively) were investigated in SCLC xenograft models in vivo.
In the preclinical models studied, the standard-of-care agents,
cisplatin and etoposide, enriched the proportion of CSCs. In direct
contrast, both VS‐5584 and VS‐4718 reduced SCLC CSCs in vivo when
combined with chemotherapy. VS‐5584 and VS‐4718 also delayed tumor
regrowth after treatment with these cytotoxic agents in SCLC xenograft
models of switch maintenance therapy. The preferential targeting of CSCs
in preclinical SCLC models provides an important rationale for clinical
development of VS‐5584 and VS‐4718 in combination with chemotherapy to
potentially lengthen the time to relapse and improve the treatment
outcome for patients with SCLC.
A copy of the poster presentation is available at http://bit.ly/12otlcV
Title: FAK inhibitor VS-6063 (defactinib) targets mesothelioma
cancer stem cells, which are enriched by standard of care chemotherapy
Date
and time: Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Location:
Section 21; Poster Board 23
Abstract Number: 4236
Session:
Session Title: Therapeutics Targeting Cancer Stem Cells; Session
Category: Tumor Biology
Summary: Malignant pleural
mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor in the lining of the lung and
median overall survival with standard of care chemotherapy is only 12
months. This poor prognosis may be attributable at least in part to CSCs
which are resistant to chemotherapy and can mediate cancer recurrence
and progression. FAK has been shown to play an essential role in the
survival, self-renewal and tumor-initiating capability of CSCs.
In the preclinical models and patient biopsies studied, two
standard-of-care agents, pemetrexed and platinum, enrich the proportion
of CSCs. In direct contrast, the FAK inhibitor, VS-6063, markedly
reduced CSCs in models of mesothelioma. In addition, in tumors that are
low in the biomarker merlin, marked bulk tumor reduction was observed.
In a switch maintenance model, VS-6063 treatment also delayed tumor
regrowth following cisplatin plus pemetrexed treatment in vivo.
These data provide strong rationale for the current clinical testing of
VS-6063 in Verastem’s registration-directed COMMAND trial, evaluating
VS-6063 in a maintenance setting to potentially prolong response to
front line chemotherapy in patients with mesothelioma.
A copy of the poster presentation is available at http://bit.ly/12otlcV
Title: Targeting Focal Adhesion Kinase is a novel approach to
therapy of high-risk, Ikaros-mutant acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia
Date
and time: Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Location:
Section 20; Poster Board 17
Abstract Number: 4202
Session:
Session Title: Mouse Models of Human Cancer 3; Session Category: Tumor
Biology
This research includes work on VS-4718 and was presented by
collaborators. A copy of the poster presentation is available at http://bit.ly/12otlcV
About VS-6063
VS-6063 (defactinib) is an orally available
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 Robert Weinberg, Ph.D.,
scientific cofounder and chair of Verastem’s Scientific Advisory Board,
and Verastem has demonstrated that FAK activity is critical for the
growth and survival of cancer stem cells. VS-6063 is currently being
studied in the registration-directed COMMAND trial in mesothelioma (www.COMMANDmeso.com),
a “Window of Opportunity” study in patients with mesothelioma prior to
surgery, a Phase 1/1b study in combination with paclitaxel in patients
with ovarian cancer, a trial in patients with Kras-mutated non-small
cell lung cancer and a trial evaluating the combination of VS-6063 and
VS-5584 in patients with relapsed mesothelioma. VS-6063 has been granted
orphan drug designation in the U.S. and EU for use in mesothelioma.
About VS-4718
VS-4718 is an orally available compound
designed to target cancer stem cells through the potent inhibition of
focal adhesion kinase (FAK). VS-4718 is currently being studied in a
Phase 1 dose escalation study in patients with advanced cancers.
About VS-5584
VS-5584 is an orally available compound that
has demonstrated potent and highly selective activity against class 1
PI3K enzymes and dual inhibitory actions against mTORC1 and mTORC2. In
preclinical studies, VS-5584 has been shown to reduce the percentage of
cancer stem cells and induce tumor regression in chemotherapy-resistant
models. Verastem is currently conducting a dose escalation trial of
VS-5584 in patients with advanced solid tumors as a single agent and a
combination trial of VS-5584 and VS-6063 in patients with relapsed
mesothelioma. VS-5584 has been granted orphan drug designation in the
U.S. and EU for use in mesothelioma.
About Verastem, Inc.
Verastem, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSTM) is
discovering and developing drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing
of cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are an underlying cause of tumor
recurrence and metastasis. Verastem is developing small molecule
inhibitors of signaling pathways that are critical to cancer stem cell
survival and proliferation: FAK and PI3K/mTOR. For more information,
please visit www.verastem.com.
Forward-looking statements:
This press release includes
forward-looking statements about the Company’s strategy, future plans
and prospects, including statements regarding the development and
activity of the Company’s product candidates, VS-6063, VS-4718 and
VS-5584, and the Company’s FAK and PI3K/mTOR, potential plans for
clinical development of the Company’s product candidates, and the
structure of the Company’s planned or pending clinical trials. 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 product
candidates and preliminary or interim data from clinical trials may not
be predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later clinical
trials, that data may not be available when we expect it to be, that our
product candidates will cause unexpected safety events, that the Company
will be unable to successfully initiate or complete the clinical
development of its product candidates, that the development of the
Company’s product candidates will take longer or cost more than planned,
and that the Company’s product candidates 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 December
31, 2014 and in any subsequent SEC filings. The forward-looking
statements contained in this press release reflect the Company’s current
views with respect to future events, and the Company does not undertake
and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements.
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