Abstract 4411: Farletuzumab (mAb003), a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to folate receptor alpha, enhances paclitaxel efficacy in an ovarian cancer model

Abstract

Abstract Farletuzumab, MORAb-003 is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognizes the folate receptor alpha (FRα) which is over-expressed in various malignancies including ovarian and lung cancers. This presents a unique approach to an unmet medical need in ovarian cancer therapy by targeting this receptor. Farletuzumab is currently in clinical trials in combination with paclitaxel for metastatic ovarian and lung cancer. In this study we evaluated potential benefit that farletuzumab offers when added to a traditional chemotherapy in a pre-clinical murine model. In a human ovarian cancer model, female athymic nude mice were implanted intraperitoneally with IGROV cells which express FRα. One week post tumor establishment, these mice were treated with Paclitaxel, MORAb-003, or the combination of the two, respectively. A group of the tumor-bearing mice received PBS as control. Tumors found in peritoneal cavity were harvested and weighed, then recorded as tumor burden. In animals treated with MORAb-003 at 25mg/kg twice weekly for 4 weeks, tumor growth was reduced near 30%. With treatment of paclitaxel at 0.5 mg/kg weekly for 4 weeks, the tumor burden in these mice was reduced ∼65%. An enhancement of therapeutic effect on tumor burden was clearly observed when MORAb-003 was added to the chemo treatment and resulted in a growth inhibition of greater than 80%. Our results demonstrate the ability of MORAb003, as a mono-agent, in inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer in a murine model. When added to the chemotherapeutic regimen, it enhances the therapeutic efficacy of traditional chemotherapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4411. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4411