Novartis comes up with an answer for breast cancer with PI3K drug alpelisib

Novartis comes up with an answer with its recent data on BYL719 (alpelisib) in combination with fulvestrant. Their alpha-specific drug for PIK3CA mutated HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer, BYL719 plus fulvestrant nearly doubled the progression-free survival times for patients. Around 40% of HR+ advanced breast cancer patients have a PIK3CA mutation, making it a considerable piece for the overall market.  As the drug is an alpha-specific, so the drug standouts. Also, it has lower toxicity, so, the majority of the patients can be on therapy for a longer time.

Epizyme files for first FDA filing with tazemetostat update

Epizyme, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in the US displayed updated data from a phase 2 trial of its lead asset, tazemetostat, in epithelioid sarcoma. The data displayed an objective response rate (ORR) of 13% across 62 patients, with treatment-naïve patients performing better than relapsed or refractory patients, having an ORR of 21% versus 8% respectively. The survival and response durability are also imperative in aggressive cancer that has no specific treatments and is often fatal. Epithelioid sarcoma can be tough to diagnose and hence may not be discovered until it is advanced.

Rheumatoid arthritis of GlaxoSmithKline slips phase 2 endpoint

GlaxoSmithKline has missed the primary endpoint in a phase 2 trial of rheumatoid arthritis candidate, GSK3196165. The highest dose of the anti-GM-CSF antibody flunked to supersede the placebo on a disease activity score, however, GSK contemplates going ahead with more clinical trials. GM-CSF is related to the formation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and proteases that play a role in the joint destruction. As GM-CSF levels get high in the joints of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, GSK ruminates to target the inflammatory mediator that could disturb the pathways, which lead to articular destruction.

AstraZeneca and Ionis aim diabetes with antisense approach for pancreatic cells regeneration

A progressive loss of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas causes Type 2 diabetes, and present therapies cannot do much, but relieving symptoms. So, AstraZeneca and Ionis are in collaboration to investigate a novel way to aim beta cells with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs)-the approach that may aid in the restoration of the functioning of those vital cells. Basically, ASOs are synthetic polymers designed to aim RNA and modify the disease-causing proteins production.