On December 14, 2023 – Bio-Path Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: BPTH) a biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary DNAbilize antisense RNAi nanoparticle technology to develop a portfolio of targeted nucleic acid cancer drugs, reported completion of the first dose cohort of the dose escalation portion of its Phase 1/1b clinical trial of BP1002 evaluating the ability of BP1002 to treat refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients including venetoclax-resistant patients (Press release, Bio-Path Holdings, DEC 14, 2023, View Source [SID1234638562]).
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"We are delighted to safely complete this first dose cohort and to advance BP1002 into the next cohort as it brings us one step closer to providing access to this very promising treatment for the most vulnerable patients who have limited therapeutic options," said Peter Nielsen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Path Holdings. "We look forward to advancing this study in higher doses with the hope that increased levels of BP1002 will prove even more efficacious and safe in these sickest of sick patients."
A total of three evaluable patients per dosing cohort are scheduled to be treated with BP1002 monotherapy in a standard 3+3 design, unless there is a dose limiting toxicity which would require an additional three patients tested. The first dose cohort consisted of a starting dose of 20 mg/m2, and there were no dose limiting toxicities. The approved treatment cycle is two doses per week over four weeks for a total of eight doses administered over twenty-eight days. The Phase 1b portion of the study is expected to commence after completion of BP1002 monotherapy cohorts and will assess the safety and efficacy of BP1002 in combination with decitabine in refractory/relapsed AML patients.
Gail J. Roboz, M.D., is the National Principal Investigator for the Phase 1/1b trial. Dr. Roboz is a professor of medicine and director of the Clinical and Translational Leukemia Program at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Gary Schiller, M.D., The University of California at Los Angeles Cancer Center, Maro Ohanian, D.O., Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and David Hermel, M.D., Scripps Health, are each serving as principal investigators.
About BP1002
BP1002 targets the protein Bcl-2, which is responsible for driving cell survival in up to 60% of all cancers. The current standard of care for patients with AML not eligible for intensive chemotherapy is venetoclax, an oral Bcl-2 inhibitor that targets the BH3 domain of the Bcl2 protein, in combination with a hypomethylating agent or with low-dose cytarabine. Unfortunately, many patients become resistant to venetoclax treatment. A published study found that AML patients who had relapsed from frontline venetoclax-based treatment were refractory to salvage therapy and had a median survival of less than 3 months. By targeting Bcl-2 at the mRNA level rather than the protein, BP1002 may overcome and prevent some of the mechanisms of resistance that affect venetoclax treatment. Published preclinical studies have shown BP1002 to be a potent inhibitor against the Bcl-2 target and its benign safety pro�ile should enable effective BP1002 combination therapy with approved agents, such as decitabine.