Cellectar Biosciences enrolled its first patient in its Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating iopofosine I 131 in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory malignant high-grade gliomas (pHGG), the company announced today.

According to a release, the open-label study will assess two dosing regimens to identify the optimal iopofosine I 131 Phase 2 recommended dose and schedule in pHGGG patients and evaluate safety and tolerability.

“We understand the profound impact pediatric high-grade gliomas have on the lives of young patients and their families,” Cellectar Biosciences CEO James Caruso said in a statement. “There exists an urgent need for more effective, targeted therapies for this vulnerable population and we are rapidly advancing further evaluation of our lead phospholipid radioconjugate therapy in this important indication.”

As previously reported, the study is supported by a $2 million Fast Track SBIR grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Cancer Institute (NCI).