Evaluation of an assay to predict response to a PARP inhibitor: Ver 1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Research Protocol for the development and validation of a diagnostic assay to predict response to a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor

  • IRAS ID

    215210

  • Contact name

    Laura Nelson

  • Contact email

    laura.nelson@almacgroup.com

  • Sponsor organisation

    Almac Diagnostics Ltd

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, 0 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    The objective of this research study is to develop and evaluate a diagnostic test that will predict response to a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor (PARPi).

    A pharmaceutical company have acquired a PARPi which exerts cytotoxic effects through the inhibition of PARP1 and PARP2 catalytic activity. Recent studies have shown that PARP inhibition exhibits an enhanced cytotoxic effect in cancers with established DNA repair defects. Previous studies suggest that PARP inhibition may be useful for treatment of patients with metastatic cancer particularly those harbouring DNA repair pathway deficiencies. Development of a diagnostic assay to predict the likelihood of response to this agent prior to treatment could aid in the clinical management of patients with metastatic or locally advanced cancer preventing unnecessary exposure of non-responders to the side effects of the drug and reduce cost burden to patients and healthcare providers.

    In the clinical trial setting the PARPi diagnostic assay (PARPi CTA) will be used to screen patients to determine if they are likely to respond to the PARPi. A Phase two study will enrol diagnostic-positive patients, whereas a Phase 3 study will enrol unselected patients (ie diagnostics positive and negative patients). The data generated from these clinical trials will be used to evaluate the performance of the PARPi assay i.e. determine if it can significantly and independently predict response to the PARP inhibitor.

  • REC name

    London - City & East Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/LO/2103

  • Date of REC Opinion

    22 Nov 2016

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion