UK-based life sciences company Avacta Group plc (AIM:AVCT) on Thursday announced positive data from the Phase 1a trial of AVA6000, its lead peptide drug conjugate, in patients with salivary gland cancer.

The data demonstrated clinically meaningful tumour shrinkage in five out of ten patients, with a 90% disease control rate. It provides preliminary evidence of AVA6000's potential as a treatment option for patients with salivary gland cancer, a disease with limited effective therapies.

AVA6000 is designed to target and deliver doxorubicin specifically to the tumour microenvironment. The Phase 1 trial has shown a favourable safety profile with reduced severe side effects compared to conventional doxorubicin.

Based on these encouraging results, Avacta has initiated three Phase 1b expansion cohorts in triple-negative breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and salivary gland cancer. Screening is underway, with the first patients expected to be treated shortly.