OncoMed initiated a Phase I/II trial of its anti-RSPO3 antibody (OMP-131R10) in patients with relapsed colorectal cancer. Patients will also be receiving FOLFIRI (5-FU, irinotecan, leucovorin). Continue reading
Author Archives: Joseph Gulfo
Cancer Immunotherapy – Combining Anti-CCR4 & Anti-PD-1; and CEACAM1 (TIM-3)
A collaboration between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Kyowa Hakko Kirin to test a combination of Kyowa’s Poteligeo (mogamulizumab), an anti-CCR4 antibody, and BMS’ Opdivo (nivolumab) in a Phase I/II trial in advanced or metastatic solid tumors was announced. Also, Merck announced the acquisition of cCAM Biotherapeutics for $605MM for its CM-24 monoclonal antibody that target CEACAM1. Continue reading
Two New Drugs Effective in Kidney Cancer – Opdivo and Cometriq
Opdivo (nivolumab – BMS) and Cometriq (cabozantinib -Exelixis) demonstrated positive results in studies of patients with kidney cancer. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for more than 100,000 deaths annually. Globally, the five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with metastatic, or advanced kidney cancer, is 12.1 percent. Continue reading
Immunocor’s Anti-Cancer Platform Garners $320MM Private Financing
Immunocor raised $320MM in a private financing round to support its anti-cancer platform. That’s a lot of money for a single financing – in fact, it is the largest private fundraising by a European biotechnology company. What’s the attraction? 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
Circulating Exosomes for Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer
The best way to cure cancer is to catch it early when surgical removal of a localized mass can successfully rid the patient of all cancer cells and cancer stem cells. This is no more important than in pancreatic cancer for which late stage therapies have not been shown to be very effective. (Thank you, Elaine, for sending me this article to discuss on the blog.) Continue reading
Vectibix Extends Survival in Colon Cancer
A Phase III study in patients with chemo-refractory colorectal cancer with wild-type K-ras genotype demonstrated that Amgen’s Vectibix (panitumumab) improved overall survival compared to best supportive therapy, alone. A total of 377 patients were randomized to receive best supportive care with or without intravenous infusions of Vectibix every 14 days. Full results of the study will be presented at a future medical meeting and submitted for publication. Continue reading
Lycera’s ROR-gamma agonists for cancer immunotherapy
Celgene and Lycera entered into a $105MM collaboration on its RORϒ agonists for the treatment of cancer, as well as LYC-30937, an oral gut-directed ATPase modulator now in early-stage clinical studies. LYC-30937 is designed to treat IBD without global immune suppression. Continue reading
What do pineapples, glucose, and cancer have in common – mitochondria
I was sent articles by two non-cancer researchers last week – they are quite fitting for discuss on this blog (thank you, Gina and Sherilyn). The first was on DCA (dichloroacetate), a drug approved for congenital lactic acidosis, and the second about bromelain, an enzyme in pineapples. Continue reading