Chroma Therapeutics has announced its first-in-class cancer drug has begun Phase II clinical trials. CHR-2797 is being evaluated as a possible treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in elderly patients.

"We are pleased that our first-in class agent CHR-2797 is showing clinical benefit in a challenging patient group and look forward to further elucidating the potential of this agent as a major new cancer treatment in Phase II clinical studies," said Ian Nicholson, CEO of Chroma.

Adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common type of acute leukaemia in adults, according to the US National Cancer Institute. It is caused when stem cells do not mature into normal white blood cells. Instead, these leukaemia cells build up in the bone marrow and blood, meaning there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This can cause infection, anaemia, or easy bleeding.

Chroma recently completed a Phase I study where patients with blood cancers were treated for up to three months with the drug. The company described that trial as showing encouraging signs of efficacy.

CHR-2797 was designed to inhibit aminopeptidases - a family of enzymes involved in the supply of amino acids that are essential for cells to grow. Preventing them from functioning can cause cancer cells to stop growing or die. Conversely, normal cells have been shown to be less sensitive to aminopeptidase inhibition, said the company.

Two other Phase I trials are being conducted on CHR-2797 as a potential treatment for solid tumours - on its own and in combination with other chemotherapies.