Table of Contents
- What is ONC-392?
- How does ONC-392 work?
- What condition does ONC-392 treat?
- Current Clinical Trial
- Who is eligible for the trial?
- How is ONC-392 administered?
- Potential Benefits of ONC-392
- Possible Side Effects
What is ONC-392?
ONC-392 is a new medication being studied for the treatment of advanced lung cancer. It is classified as a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets a protein called CD152[1]. In simpler terms, ONC-392 is a specially designed antibody (a type of protein) that can recognize and attach to a specific target in the body.
How does ONC-392 work?
ONC-392 works by targeting CD152, also known as CTLA-4. This protein plays a role in regulating the immune system. By binding to CD152, ONC-392 aims to enhance the body’s immune response against cancer cells[1]. This approach is part of a type of treatment called immunotherapy, which helps the body’s own immune system fight cancer.
What condition does ONC-392 treat?
ONC-392 is being studied for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)[1][2]. Metastatic means the cancer has spread from the lungs to other parts of the body. This medication is specifically being tested in patients whose cancer has progressed after previous treatment with other immunotherapy drugs called PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors.
Current Clinical Trial
ONC-392 is currently being studied in a Phase 3 clinical trial called PRESERVE-003[1][2]. This is an important step in determining if the drug is effective and safe for widespread use. The trial is comparing ONC-392 to a chemotherapy drug called docetaxel, which is currently a standard treatment for this type of cancer.
Who is eligible for the trial?
The trial is open to adults (18 years or older) with metastatic NSCLC who meet certain criteria[1][2]. Some key eligibility factors include:
- Confirmed diagnosis of metastatic NSCLC
- Previous treatment with certain types of immunotherapy and chemotherapy
- Cancer that has progressed despite previous treatments
- Good overall health status (ECOG score of 0 or 1)
- No active brain metastases or certain other medical conditions
How is ONC-392 administered?
ONC-392 is given as an intravenous infusion, which means it’s delivered directly into the bloodstream through a vein[1][2]. The dosing schedule being tested includes:
- Two initial “loading” doses of 10 mg/kg, given three weeks apart
- Followed by regular doses of 6 mg/kg every three weeks
Potential Benefits of ONC-392
The main goals of the ONC-392 treatment being studied are[1][2]:
- To improve overall survival (helping patients live longer)
- To increase the number of patients whose tumors shrink or disappear (objective response rate)
- To extend the time before the cancer starts growing again (progression-free survival)
Possible Side Effects
As with any medication, ONC-392 may cause side effects. The clinical trial is carefully monitoring for any adverse events, including[1][2]:
- Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs)
- Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs)
- Immune-related adverse events (irAEs)
- Side effects that may lead to stopping treatment
It’s important to note that the full range of potential side effects is still being studied as part of the clinical trial process.



