Ascend to begin breast cancer, BCC trials in '15

Ascend Biopharmaceuticals plans to commence clinical trials of its breast cancer and basal cell carcinoma treatment candidates in 2015.

The company has announced it aims to commence a phase II trial of ASN-002, an immunotherapy for basal cell carcinoma, in the first half of the year. Interim results should be available in mid-to-late 2015.

ASN-002 is an adenovirus-based therapeutic engineered to produce anticancer protein interferon-g. It has shown promise and been well-tolerated during phase I trials.

BCC, a non-melanoma skin cancer, is the most prevalent form of cancer in Australia. Surgery is the primary treatment, but ASN-002 could prove to be an alternative for patients who do not wish to receive surgery for cosmetic or clinical reasons.

Ascend also plans to begin a phase Ib trial of therapeutic vaccine ASN-004 in breast cancer in the second half of 2015.

ASN-004 is based on the OM-MUC-1 product originally developed at Melbourne’s Burnet Institute. It is designed to stimulate an immune response to breast and other cancer cells.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australian women, with around 14,000 new cases diagnosed every year.