In the NCI-MATCH trial, which matches cancer patients with new treatments based on genetic mutations in their cancer cells, the AKT inhibitor ipatasertib was shown to suppress tumors in 22% of patients with metastatic cancer with AKT1 E17K mutations. In addition to breast and endometrial cancers, the trial included rare cancers such as anal and salivary gland cancers.

Ipatasertib works by blocking the AKT protein, which helps cancer cells grow and spread. The role of the AKT protein has long been recognized, but until now, no AKT inhibitors have been licensed. Recently, several studies have been conducted on these AKT inhibitors, either alone or in combination, with some showing promising results.

The NCI-MATCH trial included cancer patients with the AKT1 E17K mutation, which is known to be present in 4% of breast cancers, 2% of endometrial cancers, and less frequently in other solid tumors. Of the 32 participating patients, most of whom had received three or more lines of chemotherapy, patients took ipatasertib orally once daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

While taking ipatasertib, cancer growth was inhibited for six months in 44% of patients. The most common side effects experienced by patients were diarrhea and vomiting.

The researchers noted that the trial had a small number of patients, which they attributed to the low frequency of tumors carrying the gene. They also noted that the trial found the treatment to be effective in a subset of patients, and that further research is needed to understand how different patients responded to the treatment. Finally, they concluded that further studies are needed to see if ipatasertib can be combined with other medicines to show good results. By analyzing tumor samples, the team plans to look for other clues to predict which patients will benefit from ipatasertib.

NCI-MATCH is a U.S. National Cancer Project that offers patients the opportunity to receive targeted therapies based on genetic mutations in their cancer cells rather than organ-specific cancer types. The trial is significant because it includes patients with multiple cancer types, including rare cancers for which no standard treatment exists. It is also significant because it provides an alternative option for patients with cancers that do not respond to currently recommended treatments.