Introgen's p53 Immunotherapy INGN 225 Begins Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial in Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer
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Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INGN) and Moffitt Cancer Center
today announced that a randomized, controlled study of INGN 225, Introgen’s
immunotherapy product has been initiated in patients with metastatic
small-cell lung cancer (termed extensive stage SCLC).
Introgen and Moffitt previously announced that the National Institutes
of Health National Cancer Institute awarded a grant of approximately
$1.3 million to fund the trial based upon the promising results of
previous clinical studies in small-cell lung cancer patients.
INGN 225 is a p53 immunotherapy using a patient’s
own cells to stimulate an anti-tumor immune response to fight cancer.
The immunotherapeutic targets the p53 tumor suppressor molecular
abnormality found in over half of all solid cancers.
Patients with SCLC have an extremely poor prognosis despite frequent
initial responses to chemotherapy. p53 abnormalities occur in the
majority of SCLC patients and these patients are expected to be
well-suited to the testing of the clinical efficacy of INGN 225.
The controlled, randomized phase 2 trial, which will be led by Principal
Investigator Dr. Alberto Chiappori, in the Department of
Interdisciplinary Oncology at Moffitt, will evaluate the efficacy and
safety of INGN 225 in as many as 80 patients with extensive stage SCLC
at multiple centers.
Results from a previous Phase 2 trial using INGN 225 in this indication
were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical
Oncology in 2007 and showed a 45 percent response rate in patients with
chemotherapy-resistant small-cell lung cancer, who received chemotherapy
following INGN 225. The historical response rate is generally less than
15 percent in these patients. Among the 43 patients evaluable for
survival following INGN 225 treatment, survival was also improved
compared to historical controls.
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.
More people die of lung cancer than colon, breast and prostate cancers
combined. In 2008 there will be over 200,000 new cases of lung cancer.
About 15-20 percent of all lung cancers are small-cell lung cancer.
Patients with extensive stage (metastatic) small-cell lung cancer have a
poor prognosis and most live less than 10 months. This cancer often
starts in the bronchi near the center of the chest, although the cancer
cells often multiply quickly to form tumors that spread widely through
the body. (Source: American Cancer Society)
About INGN 225
INGN 225 is an investigational immunotherapy that delivers the p53 tumor
suppressor to a patient’s immune cells,
stimulating an anti-tumor immune response. Dendritic cells are collected
from patients following chemotherapy, and are combined with Introgen’s
proprietary p53 preparation in the laboratory to generate the INGN 225
immunotherapy.
About H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center (www.moffitt.org)
is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a
Comprehensive Cancer Center for its excellence in research and
contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt
currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto
Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive
Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country’s
leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one
of "America’s Best
Hospitals” for cancer as well as for ear, nose
and throat. Moffitt’s sole mission is to
contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.
About Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
the development, manufacturing and commercialization of targeted tumor
suppressors, a new class of therapies for the treatment of cancer.
Introgen’s technology delivers targeted
molecular therapies that increase production of normal cancer-fighting
proteins and cytokines. The Company is developing a proprietary pipeline
of product candidates utilizing molecular biomarkers to identify
patients most likely to benefit from its therapies which target central
cancer-causing mechanisms. ADVEXIN®, its lead
product candidate, targets the p53 tumor suppressor and p53 regulatory
pathway, which is associated with over 50 percent of all tumors. The
Company plans to complete regulatory filings in both the United States
and in Europe in the first half of 2008.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking”
statements, including those relating to Introgen’s
future success with its INGN 225 clinical development program for the
treatment of small-cell lung cancer. The actual results may differ from
those described in this release due to risks and uncertainties that
exist in Introgen’s operations and business
environment, including Introgen’s stage of
product development and the limited experience in the development of
gene-based drugs in general, dependence upon proprietary technology and
the current competitive environment, history of operating losses and
accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and
uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of
Introgen’s product candidates, the ability to
obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals, Introgen’s
patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed
from time to time in Introgen’s filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form
10-K and Form 10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly
release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements
that reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
Editor's Note: For more information on Introgen Therapeutics, or for a
menu of archived press releases, please visit Introgen’s
Website at: www.introgen.com.
Editor’s Note: The project is supported by
Grant Number R01CA120282 from the National Cancer Institute.