PQ203 for Breast Cancer

This trial tests a new drug, PQ203, to assess its safety and tolerability in individuals with advanced solid tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer. Researchers aim to determine the optimal dose for future studies. The trial is open to individuals with advanced cancer unresponsive to other treatments. Participants should have a solid tumor, no certain serious health issues, and must not have recently received specific drugs. As a Phase 1 trial, participants will be among the first to receive this new treatment, aiding researchers in understanding its effects in people.

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that you should not have received chemotherapy or other systemic anti-cancer therapy within 14 days before the first dose of the study drug, except for certain drugs with longer requirements. It's best to discuss your current medications with the trial team.

Research has shown that PQ203 is promising in early lab studies for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), as it did not cause major safety issues in those studies. PQ203 targets a specific protein in TNBC tumor tissue, potentially allowing it to act directly on cancer cells.

Unlike standard treatments for breast cancer, which often include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy, PQ203 represents a novel approach by using a peptide drug-conjugate. This treatment is unique because it combines a peptide with a drug, potentially allowing it to specifically target cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, which could lead to fewer side effects. Researchers are particularly excited about PQ203 because it offers a new mechanism of action that targets solid tumors, which might improve outcomes for patients with advanced breast cancer.

Research has shown that PQ203 yields promising results in early lab studies, particularly for hard-to-treat cancers. PQ203 performed well in lab-grown cancer models that closely resemble human tumors, including those resistant to Sacituzumab Govitecan, a drug used for some breast cancers. These early findings suggest that PQ203 might be effective against challenging cancers like triple-negative breast cancer. However, further studies, including this trial where all participants will receive PQ203, are necessary to confirm these effects in humans.¹³⁴⁶⁷