Stenoparib Demonstrates Clinical Advantage in Phase 2 Ovarian Cancer Trial

Allarity Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical firm listed on NASDAQ (ALLR), has made a significant move in the field of personalized cancer treatments. The company has decided to cease its Phase 2 clinical trial for stenoparib, a cutting-edge PARP inhibitor, which was being tested for advanced recurrent ovarian cancer. This decision comes after the trial demonstrated substantial clinical benefits, such as tumor reduction and sustained disease control, in patients who had undergone extensive prior treatments and had a short life expectancy.
The clinical trial was unique in that it utilized Allarity's proprietary Drug Response Predictor (DRP®) companion diagnostic tool to pre-screen patients. This ensured that only those with the highest potential to benefit from stenoparib were included in the study. The positive outcomes have validated the concept of stenoparib as a standalone treatment, leading Allarity to focus on the development of a subsequent trial with the aim of obtaining FDA approval more swiftly.
Thomas Jensen, CEO of Allarity Therapeutics, expressed that the initial trial results exceeded expectations and provided essential insights. He emphasized the strategic decision to conclude the trial early to efficiently allocate resources towards the next phase of development for stenoparib. Notably, the drug showed a remarkable ability to offer lasting clinical benefits to heavily pre-treated patients, a testament to the effectiveness of the DRP® CDx in selecting the right candidates for treatment.
The company's commitment to analyzing the trial data and sharing comprehensive findings in a clinical update reflects its dedication to advancing treatments for ovarian cancer patients. Ovarian cancer, particularly in its advanced and recurrent stages, presents a significant challenge due to its resistance to conventional treatments. The current strategies for managing the disease include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and occasionally radiation therapy, with the effectiveness of these treatments decreasing with each recurrence.
Allarity's DRP® technology is a key component of its approach. It selects patients based on the gene expression signature of their cancer, which indicates a high likelihood of responding to a specific drug. This targeted approach has the potential to significantly increase the therapeutic benefit rate. The DRP® platform has been recognized in numerous clinical studies for its predictive accuracy in cancer treatment outcomes and is patented for over 70 anti-cancer drugs.
Allarity Therapeutics, headquartered in the U.S. with a research facility in Denmark, is focused on developing stenoparib for advanced ovarian cancer patients. The company is leveraging its DRP® diagnostic for patient selection in an ongoing Phase 2 trial, NCT03878849. With a mission to address unmet medical needs in cancer treatment, Allarity continues to innovate and progress in the development of personalized cancer therapies.