Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. Following promising results from the first study phase, the next part of the clinical trial of an antibody developed in Tübingen is now starting at the Tübingen Medical University Hospital. After the tolerable dose of the antibody has been found, the dosage form is optimized. The aim is to treat prostate cancer effectively and long-term.
The antibodies are protein molecules with two binding sites. A binding site targets the prostate-specific membrane antigen presented by the malignant prostate cancer cells. The other activates cells of the immune system. The first part of the phase I study in patients with particularly stubborn metastatic prostate cancer was successfully completed and shows clear signs of a therapeutic effect with good tolerability.
“While CC-1 was very well tolerated, some patients were treated several times because a drop in the tumor marker PSA was observed after the first cycle,” says Prof. Helmut Salih, Medical Director of the Translational Immunology Clinical Cooperation Unit. “These results are very encouraging, and we hope to be able to further optimize antibody therapy with the new dosage form.” The antibody CC-1 was developed in collaboration between the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Medical Faculty of the University of Tübingen. The phase I study is financed by the Helmholtz Validation Fund, the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and the University Hospital of Tübingen.
CC-1 is administered subcutaneously under the abdominal skin once a week. Patient treatment starts at the Tübingen center before being expanded to additional centers at the other DKTK locations in Berlin, Essen and Heidelberg.
Contact for those interested
Adult patients with prostate cancer that continues to grow despite the reduction of testosterone (castration-resistant prostate cancer) and who have already received three previous therapies can take part in the study. Before antibody therapy begins, it is checked whether all requirements for participation in the study have been met. Doctors and interested patients can contact [email protected].