Antisoma's AS1404 enhances effectiveness of Avastin in colon and lung cancer models

03-Apr-2006

A preclinical data presentation at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) revealed that a combination of Antisoma's AS1404 and Avastin was considerably more effective than Avastin alone at inhibiting the growth of human colon and lung tumour xenografts. Moreover, combining the two drugs did not cause any observable increase in side-effects.

Avastin has attained blockbuster status as a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with standard chemotherapy. Filing to extend its use to advanced non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic breast cancer is expected soon. Use alongside Avastin therefore represents an attractive potential market for AS1404, and an expansion of the opportunity for the drug over and above use in combination with chemotherapies, which is the focus of three ongoing phase II trials.

Colorectal cancer represents a potential large indication for AS1404 that has not yet been targeted in Antisoma's clinical programme. Lung cancer, by contrast, was the first indication in which a phase II trial of AS1404 was started. This trial evaluates AS1404 as part of a triplet combination with the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel, and reported promising preliminary data in October 2005. The new data support the possibility that future trials could also evaluate a quadruplet regimen including Avastin as well as AS1404 and the two chemotherapy drugs.

AS1404 (DMXAA) is a small-molecule vascular disrupting agent which targets the blood vessels that nourish tumours. The drug was discovered by Professors Bruce Baguley and William Denny and their teams at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand. Preclinical evidence shows that the drug significantly enhances the efficacy of various chemotherapy drugs, complementing their action on tumours. Antisoma's programme of phase II trials therefore combines AS1404 with established chemotherapy treatments. Preliminary findings from the lung cancer trial showed a higher frequency of tumour responses and a lower frequency of progressive disease in those patients receiving AS1404 in addition to chemotherapy.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/53656/antisoma-s-as1404-enhances-effectiveness-of-avastin-in-colon-and-lung-cancer-models.html