Two independent phase I trials of NK012, SN-38 incorporating micellar nanoparticle for patients with advanced cancer, opened in Japan and United States of America

NK012 is a micellar drug that incorporates the CPT-11 active metabolite SN-38. Currently, CPT-11 is used for the treatment of a wide variety of cancer; however, it is expected that NK012 may show stronger antitumor effects of SN-38 than CPT-11. A phase I trial of NK012 was performed separately in the US and Japan, and the result of each trial showed that NK012 is well tolerated, suggesting its clinical usefulness.It is anticipated that the subsequent phase II and III trials will demonstrate the advantages of NK012 as a drug delivery system.