Results from a phase 1 clinical trial looking at CB-839, a first in class glutaminase inhibitor, in combination with cabozantinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have been released. Preliminary results show the combination demonstrated a 40% overall response rate in advanced clear cell RCC patients, and 100% disease control. The safety profile of CB-839 plus cabozantinib was generally consistent with that of cabozantinib monotherapy.  The data will be presented at the 2018 Genitourinary Cancer Symposium, February 8-10, 2018 in San Francisco, California.

Results from a phase 1 study of CB-839 in combination with everolimus were also presented. Ninety-two percent (92%) of patients experienced control of their disease, including one patient with a partial response and 21 patients with stable disease.  The median progression free survival was 5.8 months, which compares favourably to historical data in this patient population.

On the basis of this efficacy and safety data, the manufacturer, Calithera, plans to continue development of CB-839 in combination with both everolimus and cabozantinib for the treatment of advanced clear cell RCC.

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