What's Happening?
Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp., a clinical-stage siRNA biopharmaceutical company, has announced positive pathology results from its ongoing Phase 1b dose escalation trial of INTASYL PH-762 for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The trial, which involves
intratumoral injections of PH-762, has shown significant tumor clearance in patients. In the final dose cohort, one patient achieved 100% tumor clearance, another over 90%, and a third over 50%. The trial aims to evaluate the safety and tolerability of PH-762 in treating various stages of cSCC, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. The Safety Monitoring Committee has reviewed the safety data and found no dose-limiting toxicities or clinically relevant adverse effects, indicating a favorable safety profile for the treatment.
Why It's Important?
The results from Phio Pharmaceuticals' trial are significant as they suggest a potential non-surgical treatment option for skin cancers, which could benefit patients who are not candidates for surgery. The promising tumor clearance rates highlight the potential of INTASYL PH-762 to enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells. This development could lead to new therapeutic strategies in immuno-oncology, offering hope for improved outcomes in skin cancer treatment. The trial's success may also pave the way for further research and development in gene silencing technologies, potentially impacting the broader field of cancer therapeutics.
What's Next?
Phio Pharmaceuticals may continue to screen and treat additional patients as part of the fifth cohort in the trial. The company will likely focus on further evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of PH-762, potentially expanding its application to other types of cancer. Regulatory filings and approvals will be critical next steps if the trial continues to show positive results. The company may also explore partnerships or collaborations to advance the commercialization of PH-762, should it prove successful in later-stage trials.
