Race Oncology Opens
First Australian Trial Site

Race Oncology (ASX: RAC) announced its first Australian clinical site for patient enrolment in a Phase 1 trial of RC220. The Southside Cancer Care Centre in Miranda, NSW, will begin recruiting patients with advanced solid tumours to test this promising cancer treatment.

What is RC220?

RC220 is a reformulated version of bisantrene, Race Oncology's lead asset. This small-molecule anticancer drug has a well-established safety profile and has shown therapeutic benefits in adult and paediatric patients.

What makes RC220 particularly promising is its potential to deliver anticancer effects with less cardiotoxicity compared to commonly used anthracyclines like doxorubicin.

The Trial Design

The Phase 1 trial will use an open-label, multi-site approach across Australia, Hong Kong and South Korea. Up to 33 patients will receive ascending doses of RC220 in combination with doxorubicin to determine:

• Safety and tolerability

• Pharmacokinetics (how the drug moves through the body)

• Maximum tolerated combined dose

• Effects on clinical biomarkers, including m6A RNA

Following an interim analysis, an additional 20 patients will receive the optimal dosage to further assess safety and preliminary efficacy for cardioprotection and anticancer activity.

Why This Matters

Preclinical studies by Race Oncology have shown promising results, with RC220's active agent enhancing doxorubicin's cancer-killing activity in 85% of 143 diverse cancer cell lines tested. A recent meta-analysis by the company found that doxorubicin alone has an anticancer response rate of up to 35% across a wide range of advanced and metastatic solid tumours.

The trial's Bayesian design allows for greater flexibility and speed compared to traditional approaches, potentially accelerating the development timeline.

Looking Ahead

Dr Daniel Tillett, Race's CEO, expressed pride in reaching this milestone: "I look forward to soon treating the first patient with RC220 and beginning the process of advancing RC220 as a potential new treatment able to improve cancer therapy while protecting patients from the serious side effects of cancer treatment."

The trial is now recruiting, and the timing of the first patient enrolment will depend on patient suitability and interest.

Want More Deep Dives Like This?

Signup Here ⬇️ 

DISCLAIMER: Please note that the information provided in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. It is not intended to encourage you to buy/sell assets or make economic decisions. We strongly recommend conducting your own research before making any investment.