Category Archives: Oncogenes

Tazemetostat Histone Methyltransferase Inhibitor for Hematologic and Solid Tumors

Tazemetostat is a small molecule inhibitor of EZH2 being developed by Epizyme, Inc for the treatment of patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, including germinal center and non-germinal center diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma, as well as genetically-defined solid tumors. In many human cancers, misregulated EZH2 enzyme activity results in misregulation of genes that control cell proliferation—without these control mechanisms, cancer cells are free to grow rapidly.  Continue reading

Ignyta’s Cancer Drug Inhibitor of Hedgehog Smoothened Pathway Licensed from Lilly

Eli Lilly has licensed exclusive worldwide rights to Ignyta’s Phase I taladegib oncology development program, in a deal the San Diego biotech said could generate up to $53 million-plus. Taladegib is an oral bioavailable small molecule hedgehog/smoothened antagonist. The compound has achieved clinical proof-of-concept and a recommended Phase II dose based on earlier clinical studies. Continue reading

DNAtrix and Merck Phase II Collaboration of Oncolytic Virus + Keytruda for Glioblastoma

DNAtrix and Merck announced a collaboration to combine oncolytic virus therapy and PD-1 inhibition – the two companies will collaborate in phase II clinical trials on a therapy to treat glioblastoma, an especially deadly cancer for which there is no cure. Continue reading

Liquid Biopsy from Pathway Genomics – Appropriate Uses

Liquid biopsy is the use of blood to diagnose cancer. Pathway Genomics launched its CancerIntercept test that screens for multiple cancers. Continue reading

EGFR Antibody Necitumumab Recommended for Lung Cancer & Other Anti-EGFR MAb’s to Address EGFR Resistance

The Oncology Drug Advisory Committee voted (informally) to recommend approval of Lilly’s necitumumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Continue reading

Lung Cancer Drug for Patients with Resistant T790 EGFR Mutation

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) receives signals from outside the cell that promote cell division and block apoptosis, leading to proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Continue reading

Prostate Cancer Genetic Map Unveiled

Researchers have identified a handful of mutations in patients with advanced prostate cancer for which therapeutics are already available, or in development. The genomes of 150 patients with metastatic (Stage 4) hormone-resistant disease were analyzed in order to develop a precision medicine framework for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Continue reading

Adenosine Receptor Agonist for Liver Cancer

Can-Fite BioPharma announced that it has dosed the first patient in a Phase II trial for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. The study will enroll 78 patients with refractory advanced hepatocellular carcinoma  with Child-Pugh Class B cirrhosis. Patients will receive 25 mg of CF102 orally twice a day; the endpoint will be overall survival between those receiving CF102 versus placebo. Continue reading