Oncopeptides publishes two articles with results from ANCHOR and LIGHTHOUSE studies in Haematologica
September 4, 2023
Stockholm – September 4, 2023 – Oncopeptides AB (publ), a biotech company focused on difficult-to-treat cancers, today announces that two new articles with scientific data on melflufen, marketed in Europe as Pepaxti, has been published in Haematologica, a publication reporting on important findings in basic, clinical and translational research within hematology. The published data from two studies, ANCHOR and LIGHTHOUSE, provides additional scientific support for the clinical benefit of melflufen and dexamethasone in combination with daratumumab or bortezomib in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).
The ANCHOR study is a phase 1/2 open label multicenter study evaluating the safety and efficacy of melflufen plus dexamethasone in combination with either daratumumab or bortezomib in patients with RRMM. The study started in April 2018 with 56 patients enrolled. Considering the totality of the data, melflufen 30 mg was established as the recommended dose for future combination studies in RRMM. The full article can be found here.
The LIGHTHOUSE study assessed melflufen plus daratumumab and dexamethasone versus daratumumab with supporting dexamethasone in patients with RRMM with disease refractory to an immunomodulatory agent and a proteasome inhibitor or who had received ≥3 prior lines of therapy including an immunomodulatory agent and a proteasome inhibitor. The study included 54 patients and met its primary endpoint despite being prematurely terminated. It concludes that melflufen plus daratumumab and dexamethasone demonstrated superior progression free survival (HR 0.18 [0.05-0.65], p=0.0032). OS data was immature (HR 0.47 [0.09-2.57], p=0.37). The safety profile was comparable to previously published melflufen studies. The full article can be found here.
“The ANCHOR and LIGHTHOUSE trials provide further evidence of the efficacy of melflufen in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma,” says Stefan Norin, Chief Medical Officer at Oncopeptides. “As melflufen continues its journey as an increasingly important treatment option for patients in Europe, the comprehensive data provided from these two studies provides valuable data for the understanding of combination therapy including melflufen.”
Q&A for investors
What is this?
Oncopeptides, as most other biotech companies conducting medical research, from time to time publish medical data in established publications, such as Haematologica, or at medical congresses. These articles and presentations are primarily aimed at healthcare professionals.
The two articles referenced above are referencing two clinical studies of the effect of melflufen combined with other drugs in patients suffering from multiple myeloma.
What are medical publications?
Medical publications refer to written documents that present research findings, case studies, reviews, and other scientific information in the field of medicine. They are often published in scientific journals after undergoing a rigorous peer-review process.
Why are they important for a healthcare company such as Oncopeptides?
Medical publications help to establish credibility, promote transparency, and provide valuable evidence for the efficacy and safety of treatments or interventions. By sharing research findings and clinical experiences, companies can contribute to the broader medical knowledge base, influencing patient care and industry standards.
Do these publications affect product development?
The data from research and clinical trials, when published, can provide insights into the development of new drugs or new indications for existing ones. They can also guide the direction of future research projects.
How do healthcare professionals use these publications?
Healthcare professionals rely on medical publications to stay updated on the latest research, innovative techniques, and best practices. This knowledge helps them make informed decisions about patient care and treatment choices.
Can the general public access these publications?
In the case of Haematologica, it is owned by a non-profit organization and open to the public. While many medical journals require subscriptions, there are open-access journals and resources where research is freely available.
Why is the peer-review process in medical publications crucial?
Peer review ensures that the research presented in the publication is of high quality, scientifically sound, and free from biases. Experts in the field evaluate the research, which helps maintain the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings.
How do medical publications benefit patients?
By driving advancements in medical science, these publications play a role in the development of newer, safer, and more effective treatments. When healthcare companies share their findings, it speeds up the dissemination of crucial information, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Where can I find more information?
Both articles are publicly available through these links.
https://haematologica.org/article/view/haematol.2023.283490
https://haematologica.org/article/view/haematol.2023.283509
For detailed questions on them, please e-mail David Augustsson, Director of Corporate Affairs at david.augustsson@oncopeptides.com