Memphis-based GTx reported data from a successful mid-stage trial of its experimental therapy to improve body mass and muscle function in cancer patients. The data demonstrated that patients taking Ostarine performed better than patients taking a placebo. The trial involved 159 patients with cancer-induced muscle loss, also known as cancer cachexia. Shares of GTx, which is developing the drug in partnership with Merck, surged on the news.
"We are excited that Ostarine met the primary endpoint of the Phase II cancer cachexia clinical trial," said Mitchell S. Steiner, MD, CEO of GTx. "Even with the background of a heterogeneous cancer population, cancer induced inflammation, and chemotherapy, the changes compared to placebo in lean body mass and stair climb performance observed in this study are similar in magnitude to the changes observed in the earlier Ostarine Phase II proof of concept sarcopenia clinical trial."
- check out the GTx release
- read the AP report