UK-based life sciences company Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT) announced on Monday that it presented updated Phase 1 clinical data for AVA6000, a pre|CISION-enabled doxorubicin, at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress.

AVA6000 is being developed as a targeted treatment for FAP-positive solid tumors, aiming to reduce the systemic toxicity associated with traditional chemotherapy.

Key trial results include: Safety Profile: AVA6000 continues to be well-tolerated across both dosing schedules (every two and every three weeks), showing no dose-limiting toxicities; Reduction in Toxicities: Severe neutropenia occurred in 14% of patients versus 49% in conventional doxorubicin trials, and no cases of febrile neutropenia were observed; Cardiac Safety:and AVA6000 demonstrated a lower incidence of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) changes (12.3% vs. 48.4% with standard doxorubicin), with no severe cardiac events.

Results for efficacy showed that among patients with FAPhigh cancers, three partial responses and four minor responses were observed, indicating preliminary efficacy.

A 79-year-old male patient with salivary gland cancer achieved a partial response lasting over 18 weeks with a 46.2% tumor size reduction, while a 55-year-old male with liposarcoma saw a 40.5% reduction in tumor size.

Also, the pre|CISION platform selectively releases doxorubicin in the tumor microenvironment, reducing damage to healthy tissues and improving safety.

In addition, AVA6000 resulted in significant changes in pharmacokinetics compared to conventional doxorubicin, including: Extended Plasma Half-Life: By approximately 40%; and Reduced Tissue Distribution: A 40-50% reduction in peripheral volume of distribution, limiting the drug's impact on healthy tissues.

These results support further investigation into AVA6000 as a safer, more targeted cancer treatment, with Avacta continuing to evaluate the drug in ongoing Phase 1 studies.