Alpha-9 Oncology doses first subject in phase 1 study for new melanoma diagnostic agent

Key takeaways:

• Alpha-9 Oncology has dosed the first participant in its study evaluating Ga-A9-3202 for the imaging of melanoma.
• Ga-A9-3202 is a radiodiagnostic that targets the melanocortin 1 receptor.

The first participant has been dosed in the phase 1 study evaluating Ga-A9-3202 for locally advanced or metastatic melanoma imaging, Alpha-9 Oncology announced in a press release.

Ga-A9-3202 is a radiodiagnostic that targets the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). The expression of this receptor is known to be elevated in malignant melanoma and other types of skin cancers, positioning Ga-A9-3202 as a promising imaging agent.

“This agent is the first step in our effort to develop radiopharmaceuticals targeting MC1R for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma,” Ovid Trifan, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at Alpha-9 Oncology, said in the release. “We’re excited to advance our portfolio of molecules further into the clinic.”

In the phase 1 multi-center study, researchers are evaluating the tumor uptake and normal tissue distribution of Ga-A9-3202 in participants with melanoma that is locally advanced or metastatic. In conjunction with a CT or PET/CT scan, this new agent could be used to identify patients who are suitable to receive MC1R targeting radiotherapeutic treatment.