Category Archives: Off-Target Effects

Combined Endoglin and VEGF Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Cancer – Subasinghe Nissanga A Dias, Contributor

Blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) is an important pathologic process in solid tumors. The liberation of vast amounts of vasoendothelial growth factor (VEGF), which attracts endothelial cells, is responsible for angiogenesis. Continue reading

Exploiting the Tumor Microenvironment – Threshold, Bioatla, Pfizer

Two companies announced news last week regarding their efforts to treat cancer by administering treatments that become activated by physiological conditions specific to the tumor microenvironment. Threshold Pharmaceuticals announced data from Phase III clinical trials of evophosphamide (TH-302), and BioAtla announced an antibody development deal with Pfizer. Continue reading

Varubi (rolapitant) Approved for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Varubi (rolapitant) (Tesaro) as part of a combination of drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by certain types of cancer chemotherapy. More specifically, it was approved to prevent delayed phase chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Continue reading

JAK-inhibitors for myelofibrosis

Last week, pacritinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug-candidate with dual activity against JAK2 and FLT, has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration Continue reading

Targeted therapies for cancer – overview

The National Cancer Institute has a very informative, yet easy to understand overview  presented as a Q&A – Targeted Cancer Therapies. Continue reading

EGFRm+ non-small cell lung cancer – new treatments in development

For patients with activating mutations to the EGFR receptor kinase, small molecule specific inhibitors Iressa (gefintinib) or Tarceva (erlotinib) are administered as front-line treatments.  But, non-small cell lung cancers develop resistance after about one year of treatment via a single recurrent missense mutation (T790M) to the tyrosine kinase.  This is similar to resistance observed in patients with CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) following treatment Gleevec (imatinib), which is mediated by a mutation to the Bcr-Abl transgene. Continue reading

OncoMed’s Wnt-targeted experimental cancer drugs and bone-related adverse events

OncoMed is a biotech company that is developing therapies directed at the Wnt and Notch signaling pathways.  Clinical studies with two products directed at the Wnt pathway (Vantictumab – anti-Fzd-7, and Fzd-8 Fc) have been halted by the company while it explores findings of bone toxicity. Continue reading