Candel Therapeutics Announces Positive Phase 3 Trial Results for CAN-2409 in Prostate Cancer

Candel Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative cancer therapies, has announced the completion of a positive Phase 3 trial for its lead candidate, CAN-2409, in patients with intermediate-to-high-risk localized prostate cancer. The trial demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence and death, as well as improved prostate cancer-free survival rates and increased proportion of patients achieving a PSA nadir of less than 0.2 ng/ml. These results further reinforce the potential of CAN-2409 as a novel treatment option for patients with high-risk prostate cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Phase 3 trial evaluated CAN-2409 in combination with valacyclovir and standard-of-care radiation therapy, demonstrating a 30% reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence or death compared to placebo.
  • The trial also showed significant benefits in prostate cancer-free survival and increased the proportion of patients reaching a PSA nadir of less than 0.2 ng/ml.
  • CAN-2409 was generally well-tolerated, with a low incidence of serious treatment-related adverse events.
  • The most common side effects were flu-like symptoms, typically mild to moderate.
  • Dr. Glen Gejerman, primary investigator and co-director of Urologic Oncology at Hackensack Meridian Health, highlighted the importance of effective local control of prostate cancer.
  • CAN-2409 led to a significantly higher rate of pathological clinical response in two-year biopsy samples compared to placebo, indicating potential elimination of cancer at the microscopic level.

Statistics:

  • 745 patients participated in the trial, with 496 receiving CAN-2409 and 249 in the control arm.
  • 80.4% of patients in the treatment group achieved pathological complete response in two-year post-treatment biopsies, while 63.6% in the placebo group did so.
  • Can-2409 demonstrated a significant benefit in prostate cancer-free survival and increased the proportion of patients reaching a PSA nadir of less than 0.2 ng/ml.

Sources:

  • "Candel Therapeutics Announces Positive Phase 3 Clinical Trial Results for CAN-2409 in Patients with Intermediate-to-High Risk Localized Prostate Cancer" (Source: Business Wire, May 3, 2023)
  • Candel Therapeutics website (Source: [www.candeltx.com](http://www.candeltx.com))