Artelo Enters Next Phase Of Evaluation Of Its Cannabinoid Receptor Targeting Drug For The Treatment Of Cancer-Related Anorexia And Weight Loss

Artelo Biosciences, Inc. ARTL, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on modulating lipid-signaling pathways to develop treatments for people living with cancer, pain, and neurological conditions, has initiated the phase 2a portion of its Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS), evaluating ART27.13 for the treatment of cancer-related anorexia and weight loss.

“To date, ART27.13 has shown favorable tolerability in patients with anorexia and weight loss related to cancer with no significant negative effects attributed to the experimental drug,” stated Steven D. Reich, M.D., chief medical officer of Artelo. “Based on the positive safety profile and the response pattern observed in the phase 1b portion of the trial, a dose of 650 micrograms will be administered to patients in the ohase 2a.”

The phase 2a portion of the CAReS study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled design enrolling 40 patients randomly allocated in a 3:1 ratio to receive ART27.12 or placebo once daily for up to 12 weeks. The study is planned to be conducted at approximately 18 clinical sites in five countries.

About ART27.13
ART27.13 is a highly potent, peripherally restricted synthetic, dual G-Protein-Coupled Receptor agonist believed to target the cannabinoid receptors CB₁ and CB₂, which has the potential to increase appetite and food intake. Originally developed by AstraZeneca plc AZN , ART27.13 has been evaluated in five phase 1 clinical studies including over 200 subjects where it has demonstrated a statistically significant and dose-dependent increase in body weight in healthy subjects. Importantly, the changes in body weight were not associated with fluid retention and the distribution of the drug enables systemic metabolic effects while minimizing central nervous system-mediated toxicity.

Photo by Louis Reed on Unsplash

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