Positive Results Announced for Novel Ovarian Cancer Drug

Researchers from a recent study announced successful trial results for the novel drug APR-246, which targets the gene p53.

Since it is a tumor suppressor, the protein p53 is mutated in more than 50% of cancers, especially in high grade serious ovarian cancer, according to the study presented at the 2016 American Society for Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.

The drug works with cytotoxic chemotherapy and researchers reported promising results in 23 of the patients included. They also found mild toxicity in these patients.

The trial will be expanded to 400 patients and researchers hope to obtain a license for this new drug.

"Part of this research has been the testing of a novel compound, APR 246, which can reverse the mutation of p53 and restore it to its original form,” concluded lead researcher John Green, BSc, MBChB, DM, FRCPE, FRCP. "Understanding the functions of mutant p53 will help in the development of new therapeutic approaches that may be useful in a broad range of cancer types."