Senhwa Biosciences begins Phase I/II Silmitasertib trial in young patients with relapsed solid tumors

TAIPEI and SAN DIEGO, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. (TPEx: 6492), a company dedicated to developing first-in-class therapeutics for oncology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases, has initiated the enrollment of the first patient at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in a Phase I/II clinical study. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Silmitasertib (CX-4945) in combination with chemotherapy for children and young adults suffering from relapsed or refractory solid tumors.

The clinical trial is designed to determine the optimal dose of Silmitasertib when used alongside chemotherapy, focusing on assessing safety, tolerability, and efficacy in cancer patients, particularly those with neuroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and liposarcoma.

Dr. Chandrika Behura, the study chair and principal investigator, emphasizes the importance of this trial in understanding the drug's mechanism and developing more targeted treatments. Dr. Behura, who is also a Four Diamonds researcher and associate professor of pediatrics at the College of Medicine, stated that the goal is to find a combination that maximizes toxicity to cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal cells.

The study plans to enroll up to 114 participants nationwide through hospitals that are part of the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium. The trial seeks to create new therapeutic strategies by evaluating individual responses and disease control duration.

Dr. Giselle Sholler, division chief of pediatric hematology/oncology and director of pediatric oncology research at the College of Medicine, as well as chairperson of the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, expressed excitement about advancing this research. She noted that the insights from this trial would benefit local patients and potentially lead to new treatments for children both in the U.S. and globally.

The Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium is a global network of over 50 universities and children's hospitals, dedicated to saving lives and making a lasting impact worldwide. This clinical trial is funded by the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Little Warrior Foundation, while Dr. Behura's research leading to the trial was supported by Four Diamonds.

Suzanne Graney, executive director of Four Diamonds, highlighted that the success of this trial is a result of years of work by numerous individuals. The dedication of physician-scientists and the generosity of donors and the community have been crucial in progressing towards improved cancer treatments.

Specialists at Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium hospitals, along with researchers at the College of Medicine, are focused on transforming groundbreaking discoveries into life-saving treatments for childhood cancer. Dr. Yatin Vyas, pediatrician-in-chief and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital, mentioned that expanding research and increasing clinical trials allow for exploring immunotherapy, cellular therapy, and precision medicine to provide the most optimized care for each patient.

Jin-Ding Huang, PhD, CEO of Senhwa Biosciences, expressed honor in collaborating with Penn State College of Medicine and the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium. He appreciated the opportunity to provide Silmitasertib as a potential effective treatment and looked forward to realizing its therapeutic value in the field of childhood cancers through this study.