Vistusertib and taxol

[Eriksendi]

There’s an article in the mail today saying that the above drug in combination with paclitaxel has shown promise in slowing down the growth of ovarian cancer. Prof Banerji said what they saw in trials was exciting. Has anyone been part of/or aware of this trial?

[January-2016-UK]

This is the Octopus trial, I couldn't go on it because they wouldn't accept ovarian carcinosarcoma so I had to have plain old weekly Taxol instead! Gina is on Phase 2 and I think a number of others too but I forget exactly who.

[Eriksendi in reply to January-2016-UK]

That’s interesting - let’s hope all on this are doing well x we need them to come up with something soon to combat this awful disease.

[coksd in reply to January-2016-UK]

What does that mean sorry- is it just for solid tumors? I have carcinoma PPC but also have nodules my oncologist isn't very forthcoming with info, I read this article today too.

[January-2016-UK in reply to coksd]

Solid tumours refer to any type of cancer other than those of the blood and lymphatic system. The tumours may be small or large. The reason I wasn't accepted for the trial is that I have carcinosarcoma which means carcinoma plus sarcoma (some trials exclude this condition, despite the treatment being the same. This article was referring to the results of the Phase 1 trial and the results were so good for this combination of the two drugs, (more than 50% response for ovarian) that Phase 2 started recruiting before the results were out. Phase 2 is now closed to recruitment and results are expected later this year I think I read. So fingers crossed that Phase 3 will move quickly and a new treatment will become available.

[coksd]

I read this actually its very interesting, is Vistusertib approved on its own or just very positive after trials.

[Yoshbosh]

My mum forwarded me the article from the Daily Telegraph, and it does sound really exciting. Apparently 140 OC women have enrolled in Phase 2.

However, the Telegraph’s article concludes with: “Drug company Astra Zeneca, which developed the compound, said it was not currently pursuing the development of the drug – which other manufacturers may now explore – but was committed to working with scientists and researchers to understand its potential.” This sounds a bit more glum. If it is so amazing, why wouldn’t they be actively pursuing it? Let’s hope someone else picks it up and explores it fully 🤞

[Maus123 in reply to Yoshbosh]

Sometimes a pharma company will engage in the early research phase only, and then sell the drug compound to others to bring it to market (maybe even run the phase 3 trials?). All the best. Maus

[Lily-Anne in reply to Yoshbosh]

I spoke to the AZ rep when I was at Addenbrookes discussing a couple of new trials. He said that often trials are stopped at ph2 due to funding, lack of interest or lack of suitable volunteers. I was surprised when you consider from our perspective if that drug helped one person surely it’s worth it. It seems morally yes but it’s not good business.

I hope it does get to ph3. He told me they only had 12 at that hospital who had been suitable. I guess that’s quite low

Xx

[Ge0rg1na]

Hi, yes I'm on that trial but have had the treatment at the UCHL. Tumours showed some reduction and I'm now on the maintenance phase with vistusertib pills only. It will be interesting to see how long that can last. Fingers crossed that many more cam benefit from it in future. Gina x

[govanhill]

I was on the Octopus trial just over a yeat ago. I had finished the taxol and was continuing with the tablets. My ca 125 was 16. Unfortunately I developed pneumonitis from the trial drug and had to stop.