Preclinical Activity With Olaratumab in Sarcoma

Caitlin May, PhD, postdoctoral research scientist at Eli Lilly and Company, discusses preclinical activity with olaratumab (Lartruvo) in pediatric sarcoma models.

Olaratumab is a human anti-PDGFRα monoclonal antibody that was previously found to have activity in adult patients with sarcoma, May explains. However, recent research suggests that there are several subtypes of pediatric bone and soft tissue sarcoma that express high levels of this receptor. These findings suggest that there is preclinical activity of olaratumab in pediatric mouse models and cell lines.

A phase Ib clinical trial is enrolling pediatric patients with sarcoma to receive olaratumab in combination with chemotherapy agents, which is scheduled to be completed in 2019, she adds.. Currently, olaratumab's approved indication by the FDA is in combination with doxorubicin for adult patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma.