SINGAPORE — A new cancer drug, which is undergoing a clinical trial in Singapore for the first time, has shown promising results, with some patients’ conditions stabilising and a couple of them showing more than 30 per cent shrinkage in their tumours.

The 28 patients taking part in the Phase I clinical trial of selinexor  — also a first for Asia — suffer from various cancers in the advanced stages, including renal, colon, lung, oesophageal, pancreatic and rectal. 

They had previously gone through other standard treatments for their cancers, but their diseases were still progressing when they began taking part in the trial.

The Phase I trial, which began in April last year and is still ongoing, is conducted at the Developmental Therapeutics Unit of the National University Cancer Institute Singapore (NCIS).

Out of the 28 participants in the trial — where they take the selinexor drug orally during prescribed periods — 19 of them have been evaluated. More than half of the patients evaluated have shown positive results. 

Two patients with lymphoma have seen more than 30 per cent shrinkage in their tumours. Twelve patients have seen their conditions stabilised, with tumour shrinkage of less than 30 per cent, or tumour growth of less than 20 per cent. 

Dr David Tan, consultant at NCIS’ Department of Haematology-Oncology and the principal investigator in the clinical trial, said: “...Our results indicate that this is a drug that is able to slow the growth rate of, and in some cases, shrink these highly treatment-resistant cancers.”

One of the participants, Madam S C Theng, who has advanced colorectal cancer, said: “I experience a slight headache on the day I take the medication, some fatigue and nausea, and occasional bitterness in my tastebuds.”

“However, they are tolerable since my condition has stabilised. At least, there is still hope and light at the end of the tunnel,” said Mdm Theng, who has been taking selinexor since February.

Similar clinical trials for selinexor have been conducted for more than 600 people internationally. However, this is the first time that a Phase I clinical trial for the drug has been conducted in Asia, with Singapore spearheading the study.

Phase 1, the first of four phases in the trial, is aimed at assessing the tolerability of selinexor and determine the safe dosage level for Asian patients.

It is not known when the drug will be registered for treatment.