Nxera and Cancer Research UK to present promising cancer drug trial at ESMO

Innovative immunotherapy drug HTL0039732 shows potential in trials

Nxera Pharma and Cancer Research UK are set to present their ongoing Phase 1/2a clinical trial of the cancer immunotherapy drug HTL0039732 at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024 in Barcelona.

The trial, led by Dr Debashis Sarker from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, will be showcased on 14 September.

HTL0039732, also known as NXE0039732, is an oral EP4 antagonist designed to treat various cancers in combination with other immunotherapies.

The drug works by blocking the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor, which helps cancer cells evade the immune system. By targeting this receptor, HTL0039732 enhances the immune system’s ability to detect and control cancer cells.

The trial, sponsored by Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development, is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and anti-tumour activity of HTL0039732 both as a monotherapy and in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab.

The first patient was dosed in August 2023, and recruitment is ongoing at several UK hospitals, including Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge, Guy’s in London, and the Christie in Manchester.

Dr Sarker expressed excitement about presenting the trial’s progress, highlighting the potential of HTL0039732 to improve treatment options for patients with advanced solid tumours. The trial aims to identify new ways to harness the immune system to fight cancer, offering hope for patients with cancers that are resistant to current therapies.

HTL0039732 was developed using Nxera’s NxWave platform and has shown promising results in preclinical studies. The presentation at ESMO will provide an update on the trial’s progress and future directions.