Press Release
Protara Therapeutics Announces Dosing of First Patient in Phase 1b/2 ADVANCED-2 Trial of TARA-002 in NMIBC Patients with High Grade Carcinoma in Situ
“The ADVANCED-2 trial in NMIBC is an exciting opportunity to build on the favorable anti-tumor and safety data of TARA-002 presented earlier this year,” said
The initiation of this trial follows the positive results of the ADVANCED-1 clinical trial of TARA-002 presented in April 2023 at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting. In the dose-escalation component of that study, TARA-002 was generally well tolerated and anti-tumor activity was observed, including tumor regression in all three evaluable patients with CIS, including one heavily pre-treated BCG-unresponsive patient who achieved a complete response (CR).
“Following positive preliminary results from the ADVANCED-1 trial, we are pleased to have dosed the first patient in the ADVANCED-2 trial,” said
ADVANCED-2 (NCT05951179) is a Phase 1b/2 open-label trial evaluating intravesical TARA-002 in up to 102 patients with CIS (± Ta/T1) who are BCG-naïve (N=27) and BCG-unresponsive (N=75). Trial subjects will receive an induction with or without a reinduction course of six weekly intravesical instillations of TARA-002, followed by a maintenance course of three weekly installations every three months in the BCG-unresponsive cohort.
The ongoing ADVANCED-1EXP trial is a Phase 1b open-label expansion trial evaluating intravesical TARA-002 in 12 CIS patients, including BCG-naïve, BCG-unresponsive, and BCG-inadequately treated patients.
About TARA-002
TARA-002 is an investigational cell therapy in development for the treatment of NMIBC and of LMs, for which it has been granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. TARA-002 was developed from the same master cell bank of genetically distinct group A Streptococcus pyogenes as OK-432, a broad immunopotentiator marketed as Picibanil® in Japan and approved in Taiwan by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Protara has successfully shown manufacturing comparability between TARA-002 and OK-432.
When TARA-002 is administered, it is hypothesized that innate and adaptive immune cells within the cyst or tumor are activated and produce a strong immune cascade. Neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes infiltrate the abnormal cells and various cytokines, including interleukins IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha are secreted by immune cells to induce a strong inflammatory reaction and destroy the abnormal cells.
About Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the United States, with NMIBC representing approximately 80% of bladder cancer diagnoses. Approximately 65,000 patients are diagnosed with NMIBC in the United States each year. NMIBC is cancer found in the tissue that lines the inner surface of the bladder that has not spread into the bladder muscle.
About Protara Therapeutics, Inc.
Protara is committed to advancing transformative therapies for people with cancer and rare diseases. Protara’s portfolio includes its lead program, TARA-002, an investigational cell-based therapy being developed for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and lymphatic malformations, and IV Choline Chloride, an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement for patients dependent on parenteral nutrition. For more information, visit www.protaratx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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Company Contact:
Justine.OMalley@protaratx.com
646-817-2836
Source: Protara Therapeutics