Lantern Pharma, through its subsidiary Starlight Therapeutics, revealed preclinical data and Phase 1b trial designs for LP-184 (STAR-001 for CNS indications) at the 2024 Society for Neuro-Oncology meeting. The drug is being explored for its potential in treating glioblastoma, a challenging brain cancer. The new data highlights the drug’s mechanism, ability to penetrate the brain, and potentially enhanced effects when combined with spironolactone.
Successful development of LP-184/STAR-001 could represent a major advance for patients battling this aggressive cancer and offer a much-needed new therapeutic approach. This progress further positions Lantern Pharma and Starlight Therapeutics at the forefront of developing targeted CNS cancer therapies.
The preclinical data showcased LP-184’s effectiveness in glioblastoma models and its activation by PTGR1, a protein overexpressed in many recurrent glioblastoma tumors. The planned Phase 1b trial will involve two cohorts of recurrent GBM patients: one receiving STAR-001 as monotherapy and the other receiving it in combination with spironolactone. The trial will evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, and treatment response, utilizing biomarkers like PTGR1 expression, ERCC3 levels, and DNA damage markers. Lantern has previously developed a molecular diagnostic to assess PTGR1 levels, furthering their precision medicine approach. LP-184 is an acylfulvene alkylating agent that induces DNA double-strand breaks and has shown promise in various solid tumors. It has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for malignant glioma/glioblastoma treatment.
This research and planned trial signifies potential progress in the fight against glioblastoma. Positive results from the Phase 1b trial could lead to further clinical development and potentially offer a new treatment avenue for patients with this devastating disease. The combination therapy approach with spironolactone, guided by Lantern’s AI platform, could represent a significant step forward in personalized treatment strategies for glioblastoma. The use of biomarkers to identify responsive patients further strengthens the potential for improved outcomes and could pave the way for a more targeted and effective approach to glioblastoma treatment.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
