Tag Archives: myc

Merck Acquires OncoEthix for Novel MYC Blocker

Last week, Merck acquired OncoEthix at a price of $375 MM for OTX015, a synthetic small molecule which targets the BET bromodomain proteins 2, 3, and 4 (BRD2/3/4). Continue reading

Reprogramming Lung Cancer to Self-Destruct Using TRAIL and CDK9 Inhibitor

CANCER RESEARCH UK scientists have found a drug combination that can trigger the self-destruct process in lung cancer cells – paving the way for new treatments, according to research that will be presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool next week. This process is known as apoptosis. Continue reading

Monoclonal antibodies + kinase inhibitors are better than antibodies alone in breast cancer and B-cell lymphoma

The combination of Herceptin plus pan-HER (EGFR and Her 2 an 4) kinase inhibitor neratinib resulted in a 33% improvement in progression free survival versus Herceptin alone in breast cancer patients.  Rituxan combined with idelalisib, PI3K inhibitor, resulted in a near doubling of progression-free survival at 24 weeks versus Rituxan, alone in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and small cell lymphoma.  The news for neratinib tripled the valuation of Puma Biotechnology, while the FDA granted approval of Gilead’s drug Zydelig (idelalisib). Continue reading

FDA Clinical Hold lifted on telomerase inhibitor

In clinical trials, “clinical holds” are imposed by the FDA when toxicities emerge that are unexpected, either new toxicities that have not been seen before, (or were not anticipated) or increased severity of known or anticipated side effects.  The hold allows the FDA to assess the data, demand more data from the sponsoring companies, and make appropriate changes in the study protocol… Continue reading