On August 4, 2021 Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA), a pioneer and global leader in cell-free DNA testing, reported that the first patient has been screened in a new phase III trial that uses its personalized, tumor-informed molecular residual disease (MRD) test, Signatera, to identify early-stage breast cancer patients eligible for investigational treatment with GSK’s PARP inhibitor niraparib (ZEJULA) (Press release, Natera, AUG 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234585787]).
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The ZEST study, sponsored by GSK, is a randomized, multicenter, phase III, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with niraparib following surgery or completion of adjuvant therapy in 800 patients with either triple-negative breast cancer or HR-positive/HER2-negative, BRCA-mutated breast cancer. After definitive upfront treatment, serial testing with Signatera will be used to identify patients who have detectable MRD to evaluate therapy with niraparib versus placebo in a setting where relapse is detected early ahead of radiologically defined disease progression.
"We are delighted to partner with GSK, a leader in oncology drug development, to help bring personalized medicine to patients with early-stage breast cancer," said Solomon Moshkevich, general manager of oncology at Natera. "Our vision is that early-stage breast cancer patients will be monitored regularly using Signatera, with access to effective treatment upon the detection of molecular recurrence."
This is the second phase III registrational trial to incorporate Signatera as a companion diagnostic. Signatera has been designated as a Breakthrough Device by the FDA for three different clinical indications, including one designation for the early-stage breast cancer intended use being evaluated in the ZEST trial.
About Signatera
Signatera is a custom-built circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test for treatment monitoring and molecular residual disease (MRD) assessment in patients previously diagnosed with cancer. The test is available for both clinical and research use, and has been granted three Breakthrough Device Designations by the FDA for multiple cancer types and indications. The Signatera test is personalized and tumor-informed, providing each individual with a customized blood test tailored to fit the unique signature of clonal mutations found in that individual’s tumor. This maximizes Signatera’s accuracy for detecting the presence or absence of residual disease in a blood sample, even at levels down to a single tumor molecule in a tube of blood. Signatera is intended to detect and quantify how much cancer is left in the body, to detect recurrence earlier and to help optimize treatment decisions.
Signatera test performance has been clinically validated in multiple cancer types including colorectal, non-small cell lung, breast, and bladder cancers. Signatera has been developed and its performance characteristics determined by Natera, the CLIA-certified laboratory performing the test. The test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CAP accredited, ISO 13485 certified, and CLIA certified.