eFFECTOR Therapeutics to Collaborate with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on an Investigator-Sponsored Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating Zotatifin as Combination Treatment in ER+ Endometrial Cancer and in Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

SOLANA BEACH, Calif. and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: EFTR), a leader in the development of selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs) for the treatment of cancer, today announced a collaboration to conduct an investigator-sponsored trial (IST) evaluating zotatifin in combination with abemaciclib and letrozole in patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) endometrial cancer and low grade serous ovarian cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) under the direction of Panagiotis Konstantinopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Translational Research and attending oncologist in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at DFCI, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

“Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent cancer affecting the female reproductive organs in the United States,” said Dr. Konstantinopoulos. “While early detection offers hope for successful treatment, patients with recurrent or metastatic disease have limited treatment options. Recent studies of the abemaciclib and letrozole combo in ER+ endometrial cancer patients have shown promising activity, however, most patients either fail to respond or eventually develop resistance to CDK4/6 inhibition, a critical aspect of treatment. Similarly, low grade serous ovarian cancer has shown sensitivity to combined treatment with aromatase inhibitors and CDK4/6 inhibition, but responding patients eventually develop disease progression. By targeting eIF4A, which subsequently downregulates the key factors implicated in CDK4/6 inhibition resistance, we believe that integrating zotatifin with abemaciclib and letrozole treatment regimen represents a compelling strategy for combating recurrent endometrial cancer and low grade serous ovarian cancer.”

Doug Warner, M.D., chief medical officer of eFFECTOR Therapeutics added, “We are thrilled to embark on this investigator-sponsored Phase 2 trial in collaboration with Dr. Konstantinopoulos and his team at the DFCI. This trial represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to address the complexities of endometrial cancer and low grade serous ovarian cancer. By exploring the potential of zotatifin as a combination treatment and its unique mechanism of action, we aim to redefine the treatment landscape and improve outcomes for these patients. With this comprehensive approach which simultaneously targets tumor cell cycle progression while reducing estrogen levels, we hope to overcome resistance mechanisms and enhance treatment efficacy which we believe could be applied in various malignancies beyond breast and endometrial cancers. In parallel, we continue to advance development of zotatifin in ER+ metastatic breast cancer and anticipate determination of the Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of zotatifin in combination with fulvestrant and abemaciclib, in the second half of 2024.”