Several new first-in-man studies for drugs targeted against a range of cancers were released at the ESMO 2012 Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology in Vienna.

“These studies represent our first glance at some of the drugs that may improve cancer treatment in coming years,” said Prof Ahmad Awada, head of the medical oncology clinic at Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium, chair of the ESMO 2012 Developmental Therapeutics track.

“Today’s findings highlight the ways that clinical research is working on cancer therapies that target specific molecular pathways within tumour cells and their microenvironment. At ESMO 2012 this year, interesting early reports will be presented on MEK-, MET- and HSP90 inhibitors as well as studies on drugs targeting EGFR and PI3K and agents active in ALK-positive lung cancer resistant to crizotinib. In addition, new immunotherapeutic strategies and new generations of hormonal agents will be on the menu at this year's ESMO congress.”

Key selected studies include:

A proof-of-concept study of ODM-201 in patients with progressive castration-resistant prostate cancer

In a dose-escalation trial, 87% of 15 patients who received a novel androgen receptor agonist called ODM-201 experienced a PSA decrease at 12 weeks. “These early results are very promising, and such are rarely seen in these early trials. ODM-201 might be a new hormonal treatment option, and its efficacy-safety profile seems to be very promising in prostate cancer patients,” said study author Dr Christophe Massard from Institute Gustave Roussy. “Unlike other anti-androgens, according to non-clinical data, ODM-201 has minimal or no brain entrance, and thus no testosterone increase in animal models. Therefore ODM-201 could be a promising new drug option for patients with metastatic or non metastatic prostate cancer. The results need to be confirmed in bigger patient population of course.”