ChemoCentryx Inc. announced publication of positive data from its Phase 2 CARAT-2 study for CCX354, a potent and selective, orally-administered inhibitor of CCR1, a chemokine receptor that drives the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The findings showed that CCX354 was generally well-tolerated by patients with RA. Measurement of evidence of clinical activity included the ACR20 response at Week 12 in patients who met trial inclusion criteria at the start of dosing (Day 1 eligible): The response was 56% in patients receiving 200 mg CCX354 once daily, compared to 44% in patients receiving 100 mg twice daily and 30% in patients receiving placebo. ACR20 is a standard measure of improvement in tender and swollen joint counts. The difference between 200 mg once daily and placebo was statistically significant (p=0.014). Data also indicated that CCX354 treatment reduced markers of bone turnover, supporting the previously documented role of CCR1 in osteoclast maturation and migration.
The CARAT-2 clinical data, which were first presented and announced in 2011 at the American College of Rheumatology, are now available in an online article in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases titled, “Chemokine receptor CCR1 antagonist CCX354-C treatment for rheumatoid arthritis: CARAT-2, a randomised, placebo controlled clinical trial” (http://ard.bmj.com/content/early/2012/05/14/annrheumdis-2011-201605.abstract). The findings also will be presented in an oral presentation titled, “Orally Administered CCR1 Antagonist CCX354-C in Phase 2 Rheumatoid Arthritis Study,” on June 9th at the Annual European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual European Congress of Rheumatology being held in Berlin.
“Results from the CARAT-2 study have demonstrated clinical proof-of-concept of CCR1 inhibition in the treatment of RA,” stated Thomas J. Schall, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of ChemoCentryx. “Through this program, we believe we have significantly advanced the understanding of this important disease target, building on more than two decades of scientific research regarding the role of CCR1 in inflammatory diseases.”
Date: June 8, 2012
Source: ChemoCentryx Inc.