A new experimental drug developed by Johnson & Johnson has shown encouraging early results in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, with tumors shrinking or disappearing completely in some patients.
According to the Reuters report cited in the source, the drug, known as JNJ-6143, is being tested as a once-daily tablet in patients with advanced prostate cancer who had previously undergone multiple treatments.
In the initial trial, 31 evaluable patients who received a 50mg dose were assessed. According to the company, 77% of these patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in PSA levels, while 48% recorded a reduction of at least 90%.
PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a blood biomarker commonly used to monitor prostate cancer and assess a patient’s response to treatment.
Among patients whose tumors could be regularly assessed through medical imaging, 69% showed a complete or partial response, meaning their tumors either disappeared or were significantly reduced in size.
Johnson & Johnson said JNJ-6143 uses a novel approach to target cancer cells by affecting a protein that cancer cells need to survive.
Reported Side Effects
The trial also reported some side effects. Commonly reported problems included nausea and increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. One patient discontinued treatment because of adverse effects.
The results were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress. However, as this was an early-stage trial involving a limited number of patients, larger clinical trials will be needed to establish the drug’s effectiveness and safety.