Johnson & Johnson’s Prostate Cancer Drug Shrinks Tumors in Early-stage Trial

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N), opens new tab on Saturday said its experimental once-daily oral prostate cancer drug caused ​tumors to disappear or shrink in an early-stage ‌trial.

J&J had gained access to the drug through its $3.05 billion deal to buy Halda Therapeutics last year.

Here ​are more details:

• The company was testing JNJ-6143 ​in patients with advanced prostate cancer who ⁠had received multiple treatments
• Its novel approach selectively kills cancer ​cells by interfering with a protein they ​need to survive
• In the trial, 77% of 31 evaluable patients receiving the 50-milligram dose saw their PSA ​levels, a blood marker used to ​monitor prostate cancer, fall by at least 50%; in 48% ‌of ⁠patients, PSA levels fell by at least 90%
• Among patients whose tumors could be measured using imaging, 69% had a confirmed complete ​or partial ​response
• “It adds ⁠a new mechanism of action to J&J’s prostate cancer portfolio,” a ​Johnson & Johnson spokesperson said
• Common side ​effects ⁠were nausea and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. One patient discontinued treatment due to adverse ⁠effects
• The ​data were presented at ​the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress

Reporting by Sneha ​S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed

Source: www.reuters.com