First Patient Enrolled in Ph 1 Program in STK11 Mutant NSCLC

“With the recent approval of CPP-1X (DFMO) for neuroblastoma, the first oncology approval for a polyamine targeted therapy, we’re really excited to have the first patient enrolled in the Phase I trial for CPP-1X-S led by Moffitt Cancer Center,” said Jennifer K. Simpson, PhD, MSN, CRNP, President & Chief Executive Officer of Panbela. “Preclinical studies have shown that polyamine modulation has the potential to restimulate the immune system. This trial allows us to explore the potential of CPP-1X-S clinically in the STK11 mutant NSCLC population which historically have a poor response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Once the safety of CPP-1X-S in combination with Keytruda is established in this Phase I trial, the planned Phase II trial will determine the potential efficacy of combining polyamine targeted therapies with checkpoint inhibitors hopefully demonstrating the first clinical proof of concept of this unique approach. In addition to the possibility of providing a better treatment option for this patient population, we are excited to evaluate the role of eflornithine and ivospemin as modulators of the immune system in combination with other immunotherapies such as CAR-T therapy for tumors where response rates have been low with immunotherapy.”