N Engl J Med

ESMO 2024: Monoclonal antibody mitigates symptoms of cancer wasting condition

September 20, 2024

Among patients with cancer cachexia and elevated growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) levels, ponsegromab resulted in increased weight gain and overall activity level and reduced cachexia symptoms. These findings were shared at the recent European Society of Medical Oncology Congress in Barcelona.

• The phase 2 study included 187 patients with cancer cachexia and an elevated serum GDF-15 level (≥1500 pg/mL). Participants were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive SC ponsegromab every 4 weeks at a dose of 100 mg, 200 mg, or 400 mg or to receive placebo. Outcomes included body weight at 12 weeks, appetite and cachexia symptoms, digital measures of physical activity, and safety.
• Ponsegromab recipients experienced significant increases in body weight at 12 weeks across all doses, with median between-group difference of 1.22 kg in the 100-mg group, 1.92 kg in the 200-mg group, and 2.81 kg in the 400-mg group. Appetite and cachexia symptoms, along with physical activity, were improved in the 400-mg ponsegromab group relative to placebo. The rate of adverse events was 70% in the ponsegromab group and 80% in the placebo group.

Source:

Groarke JD, et al. (2024, September 14). N Engl J Med. Ponsegromab for the Treatment of Cancer Cachexia. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39282907/