Antisoma presents positive data on AS1409, expects trials to start mid-2006
Antisoma plc presented new preclinical data on AS1409. These show the success of tumour-targeting by the drug and how this translates into potent effects on the growth of different tumours. Antisoma has made rapid progress in developing AS1409 and, with formal toxicology studies underway, now expects to start clinical trials in mid-2006.
AS1409 is a genetically engineered fusion protein made up of two distinct components. One is the cytokine IL12, which has anti-cancer activity. The other is an antibody that targets tumours. The aim in fusing these components is to direct the effects of IL12 specifically against cancer. A key test of AS1409 is whether, as a result of its focused action, the drug can produce greater anti-cancer effects than an equivalent dose of untargeted IL12. The new data provide a positive answer by showing better control of tumour growth in prostate, colorectal and skin cancer models.
In the past, other companies have performed clinical trials to evaluate untargeted IL12 as a potential cancer therapy. Good evidence of anti-cancer activity was obtained, but the findings were marred by serious side-effects due to IL12 actions on healthy tissues. AS1409 has the potential to overcome this drawback by concentrating IL12 effects at the sites of tumours, allowing use of lower doses than those needed with untargeted IL12 and thereby minimising effects on non-target tissues.
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