What's Happening?
Corcept Therapeutics, based in Redwood City, California, is set to present new late-breaking data from its Phase 3 ROSELLA trial at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Berlin. The trial focuses on patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer who were previously treated with a PARP inhibitor. Ovarian cancer is a significant health concern, being the fifth most common cause of cancer death among women. Patients with platinum-resistant disease have limited treatment options, with median overall survival following recurrence being approximately 12 months. Corcept's relacorilant, an oral therapy, is a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist that modulates cortisol activity, potentially improving treatment outcomes for these patients. The ROSELLA trial demonstrated statistically significant improvements in progression-free and overall survival when relacorilant was combined with nab-paclitaxel.
Why It's Important?
The development of effective treatments for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is crucial, as approximately 20,000 women in the U.S. alone are candidates for new therapies each year. Corcept's relacorilant offers hope for improved survival rates and quality of life for these patients. The trial's success marks a significant advancement in oncology, particularly in addressing unmet needs in gynaecological cancers. The introduction of a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist to the market could pave the way for broader applications in other cancer types, potentially benefiting a wider patient population. This development underscores the importance of innovative approaches in cancer treatment, aiming to enhance both healthspan and lifespan for patients.
What's Next?
Corcept will present its findings at the ESMO Congress, with a mini oral session scheduled for October 19th. The company is exploring the potential of relacorilant in earlier lines of therapy and other malignancies, aiming to increase cure rates and reduce recurrence and resistance. The ROSELLA trial is conducted in collaboration with several international oncology groups, indicating a global effort to address this critical health issue. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of July 11, 2026, for relacorilant as a treatment for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, which could lead to its approval and availability for patients.
Beyond the Headlines
The broader implications of Corcept's research extend beyond ovarian cancer, as the company explores the combinability of relacorilant with various chemotherapies, including antibody-drug conjugates. This could lead to new treatment paradigms in oncology, offering hope to populations that have been underserved by recent innovations. The focus on cortisol modulation highlights the potential for novel therapeutic strategies that address the underlying mechanisms of cancer progression and resistance.
