HLB Rivoceranib Published in Nature, Green Light for Indication Expansion … Only FDA Approval Remaining

Rivoceranib is currently undergoing FDA review for new drug approval and shows promising potential. The company is exploring a follow-up pipeline after approval. Recent research published in the journal ‘Nature‘ highlights the effectiveness of combining rivoceranib with DEB-TACE, a method using drug-eluting microspheres to treat liver cancer.

Clinical Study Results in Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is a major health challenge, and TACE therapy is a key treatment where a catheter delivers anticancer drugs directly to the liver. In a phase 3 clinical trial presented in ‘Nature’, researchers compared two groups: one receiving DEB-TACE with rivoceranib and another receiving DEB alone. The trial involved 243 patients, of which 34% had BCLC-B and 66% had BCLC-C liver cancer.

The results indicated that patients who received rivoceranib experienced an average overall survival of 7.1 months. The objective response rate (ORR) was 56.6% for the rivoceranib group, compared to 38.8% for the control group, with all results statistically significant. Additionally, the rates of metastasis to nearby arteries or the lungs were lower in the rivoceranib group, with side effects being mild and manageable.

Yonghai Han, the CTO of HLB Group, remarked that the study is a detailed, high-quality trial assessing efficacy, safety, and metastasis. The strong clinical results support the company’s plans to expand their treatment pipeline ahead of expected FDA approval.

Rivoceranib in Ovarian Cancer Treatment

The July issue of ‘Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine’ featured a meta-analysis on the use of rivoceranib in ovarian cancer treatments. The study reviewed 17 clinical trials involving 1,228 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Results showed that patients combining rivoceranib with chemotherapy had longer overall survival (23.0 months) and progression-free survival (9.7 months) compared to those who underwent chemotherapy alone.

In April, rivoceranib received approval as a treatment for ovarian cancer when used with the chemotherapy drug fluzoparib. The new findings may aid HLB in further expanding treatment options.

Phase 2 Trials for Other Cancers

Rivoceranib has shown effectiveness in phase 2 clinical trials for other cancer types. In colorectal cancer research, patients receiving rivoceranib with camrelizumab achieved complete remission, indicating high potential for use as an adjuvant treatment.

For non-small cell lung cancer patients, the trials reported a major pathological response rate of 36.8% and an objective response rate of 86.2%. These promising data will guide further research, although long-term survival results are still pending.

Updates from ESMO

In September, the European Society of Medical Oncology presented findings on seven cancer types, including liver cancer. A sub-analysis indicated that rivoceranib combination therapy not only improved therapeutic outcomes but also enhanced patients’ quality of life. This analysis underscores the drug’s potential as a first-line treatment for liver cancer, with plans to broaden its applications.

HLB officials confirmed a strategy to enhance treatment options for various cancers based on the demonstrated effectiveness of rivoceranib. These developments highlight the optimism surrounding new therapeutic approaches for cancer treatments.