Zarix
Launches a Trial for Thymitaq
September 28, 2000
Zarix Inc. announced
advancement of its agent, Thymitaq. Thymitaq (nolatrexed dihydrochloride)
has been in clinical trials for various cancer indications. In
April 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the
drug a 'Fast Track' status for treatment of unresectable hepatocellular
carcinoma. Thymitaq has also shown promise in early trials against
lung, colorectal, pancreatic and other gastric cancer.
New
Jersey Cancer Center Is Cited by FDA
September 26, 2000
The US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) suspended 11 clinical trials at the
Garden State Cancer Center reportedly due to problems related
to patient monitoring.
HuC242-DM1/SB-408075
Moves into Phase I/II Trials
September 22, 2000
HuC242-DM1/SB-408075,
a Tumor Activated Prodrug (TAP) sponsored by ImmunoGen, advanced
to phase I/II clinical trials. The study is designed to evaluate
the safety and efficacy of this drug in patients with colorectal
and pancreatic cancers, and certain non-small-cell lung cancers.
The trial will be conducted at the University of Chicago Cancer
Research Center and is co-sponsored by SmithKline Beecham (London).
Xcytrin
In Clinical Trials
September 18, 2000
Xcytrin (motexafin
gadolinium) has entered further phase I studies in brain tumors
at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center/ James
Cancer Hospital and the Solove Research Institute. The drug's
pharmaceutical sponsor, Pharmacyclics, in cooperation with the
National Cancer Institute (NCI) has initiated additional clinical
studies for the treatment of childhood gliomas and pancreatic
cancer.
To date, research
data indicate that Xcytrin, used as a radiosensitizer, may increase
the efficacy of radiation therapy.
Rubitecan
(RFS-2000) as a Chemotherapy Agent
September 18, 2000
Interim results
from ongoing studies sponsored by SuperGen Inc (San Ramon, CA)
show anti-tumor activity of RFS-2000 in treatment of chronic
myeloid leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and myelodysplastic
syndrome. Additionally, RFS-2000, a second-generation oral topoisomerase-I
inhibitor, is currently in phase III trials against pancreatic
cancer at a number medical centers in the US and Europe.
In May 1999,
SuperGen reported that it began a clinical trial with RFS-2000
in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar) in pancreatic cancer.
The trial is co-sponsored with Eli Lilly & Co and will take
place at a cancer center in Philadelphia.
P53
and P16 Gene Transfer
September 7, 2000
British researchers
reported regression of pancreatic tumors in vivo after gene transfer
of P53 and P16 genes. Ghaneh et al, Liverpool University, conducted
the study of adenovirus-meditated gene transfer in murine models.
Genes were transferred into existing tumors daily for three days,
resulting in significant tumor decrease.
IMC-C225
in Treating Pancreatic Cancer
August 30, 2000
The epidermal
growth factor (EGF) receptor is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer
tumors. Pre-clinic research has shown that monoclonal antibody
IMC-C225 can block the EGF receptor and inhibit growth in pancreatic
cancer cells. Other animal studies suggest that IMC-C225 in combination
with 5-fluorouracil enhances anti-tumor activity. These reports
set a foundation for future therapeutic application of the IMC-C225
agent in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma.
Irofulven
(MGI-114) Phase II Results
August 18, 2000
Phase II trial
results from the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical
Oncology (ASCO), indicate that Irofulven, a drug candidate derived
from toxins of the poisonous jack-o'-lantern mushroom and currently
in development by MGI PHARMA, appears to show promise as a chemotherapy
agent in pancreatic cancer. Irofulven (MGI-114) may shrink tumors
in patients who are no longer responding to treatment with Gemcitabine,
platinum and paclitaxel.
Conflict
of Interest In Medical Research
August 16, 2000
Financial conflict
of interest between pharmaceutical companies and researchers
may impact reported results of medical research. US officials
called for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) conference to
discuss this issue and take steps in formulating new laws and
regulations that better protect patients' rights and the integrity
of medicine.
A number of factors
contribute to bias in presenting results from clinical trials:
(1) most new drug testing trials are sponsored by drug companies,
(2) private physicians may get paid for recruiting patients for
a drug trial, (3) trials excluding older people participating
in the trial may represent age bias, (4) drug companies own data
from drug trials, therefore press releases may reflect company
bias.
Antigenics
Involved with Vaccines Against Pancreatic Cancer
August 9, 2000
The Antigenics
firm's lead vaccine, Oncophage, recently entered phase III trials
in renal cell carcinoma. Oncophage is also in clinical trials
against pancreatic cancer.
Emily
Couric Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer
August 7, 2000
Emily Couric,
a Virginia State Senator and sister of TV personality Katie Couric,
revealed that she has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer of
the pancreas.
Onyx-015
Advanced in Trials
August 1, 2000
Onyx-015, a novel
anti-cancer agent, has entered a new phase in cancer therapy
development. Patients are being recruited for phase III trials
to determine if the drug is effective in head and neck tumors.
Onyx-015 is a
genetically modified adenovirus which is designed to cause death
to tumor cells while sparing healthy cells.
Phase II studies
of ONYX-015 against pancreatic cancer have been conducted at
the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and at UCLA.
ONYX-015 use in cancer tumors was developed by Dr. Frank McCormick,
Director of San Francisco Cancer Center and a co-founder of Onyx
Pharmaceuticals.
PAN
346 in Preclinical Studies
July 31, 2000
PAN 346 is a
newly developed agent that is being tested for anti-cancer activity
in pancreatic, colon, hepatocellular and breast cancer. Panacea,
the drug developer, is now looking for partners to bring the
agent to market. Rhode Island Hospital (Brown University) has
signed an exclusive agreement with Panacea -- granting it full
commercial rights.
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