Johnson & Johnson’s prostate cancer drug shrinks tumors in early-stage trial

Oct 24 (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson on Saturday said its experimental once-daily oral prostate cancer drug caused tumors to disappear or shrink in an early-stage trial.

J&J had gained access to the drug through its $3.05 billion deal to buy Halda Therapeutics last year.

Here are more details:

• The company was testing JNJ-6143 in patients with advanced prostate cancer who had received multiple treatments

• Its novel approach selectively kills cancer cells by interfering with a protein they need to survive

• In the trial, 77% of 31 evaluable patients receiving the 50-milligram dose saw their PSA levels, a blood marker used to monitor prostate cancer, fall by at least 50%; in 48% of patients, PSA levels fell by at least 90%

• Among patients whose tumors could be measured using imaging, 69% had a confirmed complete or partial response

• "It adds a new mechanism of action to J&J’s prostate cancer portfolio," a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson said

• Common side effects were nausea and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. One patient discontinued treatment due to adverse effects

• The data were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress