Why Is Cancer Focused Monopar Therapeutics Stock Trading Higher Today?

Monopar Therapeutics Inc MNPR will present data from its ongoing Phase 1b open-label, dose-escalating trial of camsirubicin in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma later today at the 2023 Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) Annual Meeting.

The Phase 1b clinical trial has enrolled 14 patients across five dose cohorts. 

The trial is ongoing and in the fifth dose level cohort (650 mg/m2).

So far, 9 out of the 14 patients have had stable disease after camsirubicin treatment. 

All patients in the fourth and fifth cohorts achieved stable disease, including the three most recently treated patients, each of whom also experienced a ~20% tumor size reduction at the last study scan. 

One of these patients had unresectable cancer at study entry, but after the tumor size reduction, the patient became eligible for resection and underwent successful surgical removal of their cancer with clear margins.

No dose-limiting toxicity has been observed to date, and the maximum tolerated dose has not been reached.

Doxorubicin is the 1st line treatment for many patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma. The clinical benefit of doxorubicin is limited by having to terminate treatment once a lifetime cumulative dose is reached due to the increased risk of irreversible cardiotoxicity (heart disease). 

Camsirubicin HCl (camsirubicin) has been engineered to modify doxorubicin side chains that have been implicated in mediating cardiotoxicity while still retaining antitumor activity.

The company said a medically complex patient in the 650 mg/m2 dose cohort has an ongoing left ventricular ejection fraction decrease that is being monitored.

Price Action: MNPR shares are up 50.90% at $0.65 on the last check Wednesday.