Sirnaomics Ltd. announced the Group has completed all dosing regimens for its Phase I study of STP707 for the treatment of multiple solid tumors in patients with various types of late-stage cancers who did not respond to multiple rounds of other oncology treatments. Approximately 74% of evaluable patients demonstrated a best response of stable disease (SD) and several patients exhibited reduction in tumor burden per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). The basket study enrolled 50 patients with late-stage solid tumors including but not limited to pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer and melanoma, who all exhibited progressive disease on prior rounds of treatment with marketed oncology drugs.

Based on preliminary efficacy observations, 74% of evaluable patients demonstrated a best response of stable disease (SD) and several patients exhibited reduction in tumor burden per RECIST. The clinical study was conducted in the United States, with participation of multiple leading cancer centers, including Mayo Clinic Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Next Oncology, Emory Cancer Center and University of Southern California/Hoag. The multi-center, open-label, dose escalation study evaluated the safety, tolerability and antitumor activity of STP707 with 50 participants receiving doses at 3 mg, 6 mg, 12 mg, 24 mg, 36 mg and 48 mg via intravenous administration.

All patients were dosed once weekly for a total of four doses over a 28-day treatment cycle. The treated patients will continue in the study until they exhibit progressive disease. Additional secondary endpoints are to determine the pharmacokinetics and biomarker of STP707 and to observe preliminary anti-tumor activity.

After completing the required observation period for dose limiting toxicities for the six dose cohorts, each cohort exhibited no dose-limiting toxicity and dose escalation was recommended by the data safety committee. Additional clinical data will be announced after completion of all ongoing treatment and observations. STP707 is composed of two siRNA oligonucleotides, targeting TGF-ß1 and COX-2 mRNA respectively, formulated in nanoparticles with a Histidine-Lysine Co-Polymer (HKP+H) peptide as the carrier.

The specific carrier peptide is distinct from the carrier used in Sirnaomics' STP705 product. Each individual siRNA was demonstrated to inhibit the expression of their target mRNAs and combining the two siRNA's produces a synergistic effect that diminishes pro-inflammatory factors. Over-expression of TGF-ß1 and COX-2 have been well-characterized in playing key regulatory roles in tumorigenesis.

In preclinical studies with STP707, intravenous administration (IV) administration resulted in knockdown of TGF-ß1 and COX-2 gene expressions in various organs including liver, lung and xenograft tumor. In addition, in preclinical models STP707 had shown strong antitumor activity in various solid tumor types. Using a mouse liver orthotopic tumor model, a combination regimen of STP707 with an immune checkpoint antibody has demonstrated a potent antitumor activity.