Recently, Exelixis Pharma (EXEL) presented positive data from a mid-stage trial of its lead candidate, XL184. The drug, which is being co-developed with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), is currently undergoing multiple clinical studies for several indications.

XL184 is being studied in a phase II trial to treat patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GB), the most common form of brain cancer. Exelixis expects to present these data at the annual meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology, scheduled next month.

The trial aims at studying the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of XL184 in two dosages – 175 mg or 125 mg on previously treated GB patients. The patients selected were divided into two categories – those treated with an antiangiogenic agent and others who were not so treated.

It was observed that the lower dose (125 mg) of XL184 appeared to be better tolerated by the patients. Partial responses were observed in 30% of the patients who did not receive prior antiangiogenic therapy. Patients who did not receive prior therapy lived for 16 weeks before their disease progressed while patients who were treated earlier lived 7.9 weeks.