Thioureidobutyronitrile (Kevetrin) is an intravenous drug currently in a Phase 1 study in patients with advanced solid malignancies. It acts by promoting apoptosis in several ways: Continue reading
Author Archives: Joseph Gulfo
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
Mystery of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer SOLVED
Researchers at St. Jude Children’s hospital have identified the population of white blood cells that tumors use to propagate their growth AND to suppress the immune system. Continue reading
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
Activin (TGF-β) Receptor ActRIIA Antagonists for Myelodysplastic Syndrome & β-Thalassemia
Two experimental drugs, luspatercept and sotatercept, have shown to be active in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a type of cancer in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells and there are abnormal (blast) cells in the blood and/or bone marrow. Continue reading
Cell Medica’s Antigen-Specific T-cells for Lymphoma
Cell Medica, a London-based biotech company, raised $78MM in a Series B financing with several accomplished biotech investors on the strength of data from its clinical trials in patients with EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) associated lymphomas. Continue reading
New Epidermal Growth Factor Strategies in the Clinic for Glioblastoma & Lung Cancer
Two companies, Celldex and Clovis, reported positive developments with their strategies to target the mutated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor for patients with glioblastoma and lung cancer. Continue reading
Tissue Phenomics for Biomarker Identification in Active Immuno-Oncology Therapy
To date, the search for biomarkers to best guide active immunologic therapy selection and monitoring of response has not been fruitful. Unlike molecular targeted therapies and monoclonal antibodies for which the presence of mutated or over-expressed proteins (e.g., Philadelphia Chromosome, B-raf, HER-2, and CD20) is a prerequisite to use, Continue reading
Amgen’s Trebananib Does Not Meet Overall Survival Endpoint in Phase Study of Ovarian Cancer Patients
Angiopoietin inhibitor, trebananib, did not extend overall survival (OS) in a Phase 3 study in ovarian cancer. In the TRINOVA-1 trial of 900 women with recurrent ovarian cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy, patients receiving trebananib plus paclitaxel had a 19.3 month overall survival versus 18.3 months OS for women receiving paclitaxel, alone. The difference was not statistically significant. 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