Ariad (ARIA) had been incorrectly, if not carelessly branded as a one
trick pony. This is not only misleading for investors, but it denies
cancer patients and their families access to new and important information
about potential future treatments for both colon cancer and solid tumors (and
in particular, metastatic lung cancer tumors). New research results,
albeit preliminary, are featured in presentations at the American Association
for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting currently underway in San Diego.
Let’s tackle colon cancer first. Abstract
2726 from the AACR meeting concludes that: “for the first time, oncogenic RET fusions in CRC patient samples,
suggesting RET may be a driver in a subset of CRC patients. Ponatinib [Iclusig]
effectively inhibited these fusions with potency substantially exceeding that
of other RET inhibitors and demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity in PDX
models. These results provide strong support for the clinical evaluation of
ponatinib [Iclusig] in patients with RET-fusion positive
cancers, including colorectal cancer”
So what does this mean? In addition to
the five other indications for Ariad’s Iclusig is being evaluated in clinical
trials, use for treatment of colon cancer may also be added to the list. And don’t forget, this drug has already been
approved by the FDA. Twice.
Stir into the mix the Ariad’s new, yet unnamed, “AP26113,” a promising
new medication that is still undergoing evaluation. AACR
Conference Abstract 3719, in dense technical language, discusses
potential new approaches for treating “solid and haematological tumors,” noting that patients on “Crizotinib ….[a different drug]… approved for the treatment of late stage and
metastatic cases of lung cancer... developed
Crizotinib resistance, mainly due to the appearance of new point mutations
located in ALK kinase domain.” While noting that second line therapies are
being developed to deal with Crizotinib resistance, recent research has focused
on “the more potent phase I/II dual ALK/EGFR inhibitor
AP26113 (Ariad Pharm.)” Not only has this molecule demonstrated an
ability to overcome Crizontinib resistance, but studying it has also allowed
researchers to advance their understanding of the disease process. The
researchers conclude that “the
knowledge of the possible appearance of new clinically relevant mechanisms of
drug resistance is a useful tool for the management of new TKI resistant cases.”
So, before you write off Araid as a “one trick pony,”
keep in mind that their existing FDA approved drug has multiple, promising
potential applications which are now being evaluated; treatment of colon cancer
may soon join that list. And don’t
forget the yet to be approved AP26113 which has demonstrated significant
promise as a second line cancer treatment when Crizotinib resistance develops. Will this new drug be on the market tomorrow,
or will the additional uses for FDA approved Iclusig be confirmed in coming weeks? Of course not. That’s not how science works. But if you’re looking to the future of cancer
treatment, rest assured that Ariad is on the forefront of this important work. And
that explains why many investors, myself included, are long on ARIA.
Great post.
ReplyDelete