Cancer biomarker leads to antibody drug trial

A biomarker on leukemic stem cells has been identified by Australian scientists, which has led to the development of an antibody drug for different forms of leukaemia. The biomarker EphA3, discovered by researchers at the Monash School of Biomedical Sciences, could be key in stopping the spread of cancer, without impacting healthy cells.

Current treatments for leukaemia can result in a number of severe side effects and are not effective for every patient. Leukaemia is a very common form of cancer and large numbers of people are diagnosed with a different type of leukaemia every day.

An antibody drug has been developed that binds to this marker without causing any adverse effects on healthy cells. It is currently being trialled in a number of hospitals for the treatment of different forms of leukaemia. One type of the disease that is being treated with the KB004 drug is acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which is one of the most difficult to treat forms of the cancer.

The Phase I trial for KB004 has found that patients diagnosed with AML have responded well to the drug and it has been tolerated at high doses. So far positive clinical activity has been noted following on from treatment and the Phase II test is due to begin by next year.

Researchers looked into EphA3 for over 15 years in order to fully understand its implications as a leukemic biomarker. It has been found to be present on a number of different lymphoma and leukaemia cells, along with solid tumours. This means that as well as helping to develop treatments for leukaemia and lymphoma patients, the biomarker could also help in the development of treatments for brain, lung and prostate cancers, among others. The fact that it does not exist in healthy cells means that it is an almost perfect target for cancer drugs.

Associate Professor Martin Lackmann, from Monash University's School of Biomedical Sciences and leader of the biomarker research team, said: “We are very excited to see progression of KB004 into the clinic, and in particular to be part of the multi-centre trial that allows us to treat leukaemia patients at the Alfred Hospital with the new investigational therapy.

“We believe this antibody could provide significant benefit to patients with a broad range of cancer types, given its potential to affect tumour growth through several distinct mechanisms."