Pharmaceutical company Lantern Pharma has reported significant preclinical success with its experimental drug LP-184 in treating atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT), a rare and aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer. Research presented at the Society for Neuro-Oncology's Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Conference revealed promising results that could potentially transform treatment approaches for this challenging disease.
Dr. Eric Raabe from Johns Hopkins University shared data demonstrating LP-184's remarkable potential. In two mouse models, the drug showed substantial improvements in survival rates, with one model experiencing a dramatic 345% increase in median survival—extending from 20 to 89 days, with statistical significance (p<0.0001).
The research highlighted LP-184's key strengths, including potent anti-tumor activity across ATRT subtypes, excellent blood-brain barrier penetration, and a favorable safety profile. These characteristics are particularly important given that ATRT, driven by SMARCB1 gene inactivation, currently lacks effective, low-toxicity treatment options.
Lantern Pharma plans to advance LP-184 into clinical trials, with a pediatric Phase I trial targeted for late 2025 or early 2026. This timeline follows the completion of an ongoing adult trial and is contingent upon consortium approvals. The potential development represents a significant step forward in addressing a critical unmet medical need in pediatric oncology.
The findings underscore the company's AI-driven approach to drug discovery, leveraging machine learning technologies to accelerate oncology research and develop innovative therapeutic candidates. By utilizing their RADR® platform, which analyzes over 200 billion oncology-focused data points, Lantern Pharma continues to push the boundaries of cancer treatment research.
