CRUK starting multi-arm lung cancer trial

Next half, Cancer Research UK (London, U.K.) will start the non-comparative Phase II National Lung Matrix trial to evaluate compounds for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in small groups of 15-25 patients whose tumors are more likely to benefit based on a genetic mutation. Patients will be screened with a next-generation sequencing panel covering mutations, amplifications and translocations for 28 genes. The trial will evaluate "signs of improvement, such as increased survival, tumour shrinkage or an alleviation of symptoms." The trial will initially evaluate up to 12 compounds from AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) and two from Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), but CRUK said it hopes more drugs will be added by additional partners and that new trial arms will be able to "plug in and drop out." The not-for-profit and pharmas are funding the trial, with support from NHS.

CRUK said National Lung Matrix is building on the first phase of its Stratified Medicine Program, which is seeking to find cancer biomarkers and establish a genetic testing service in the U.K. AZ and Pfizer are industry partners for the program (see BioCentury Extra, Nov. 22, 2011). ...