Last week, Amgen (Onyx) announced negative news from its FOCUS clinical trial of multiple myeloma drug Kyprolis. Let’s put this into perspective. Continue reading
Category Archives: Biology
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
Genspera G-202 – anti-cancer hand grenade
Genspera is a company developing novel prodrugs for the treatment of cancer. In a phase 2 study in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who have failed treatment with Nexavar (sorafenib), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks KIT, FLT-3 RET, raf, VEGFR1-3, and PDGF kinases, a doubling of time to progression was seen in patients taking G-202. Continue reading
Targeted Nanoparticles for Cancer – optimizing physiochemical properties for enhanced tumor-killing
Last week, BIND Therapeutics and Amgen ended a collaboration on a targeted nanaoparticle that employed a proprietary cytotoxic compound from Amgen. However, BIND has several other programs (and partnerships with AstraZeneca, Roche, and Pfizer) that are proceeding in the clinic, which employ its Targeted Nanoparticle (TNP) technology. How does this work? Continue reading
Beleodaq, a new pan-HDAC inhibitor approved for peripheral T-cell lymphoma
HDAC inhibitors work by blocking Histone De-ACetylase enzyme, which removes acetyl groups from the proteins that encase DNA, that is histones. They are triggered by CpG sequences on DNA promoters; HDACs put chromatin in a configuration that favors LACK of transcription. So, blocking HDACs favors transcription – see prior post. Continue reading
HPV DNA Test and Experimental DNA Vaccine
The National Cancer Institute states that “virtually all” cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. The association is so strong that the FDA recently approved a DNA test for HPV that many believe could supplant PAP smear. This is great news for patients who do not have cervical cancer, yet. But what if you do?… Continue reading
Autophagy inhibitors for resistant cancers
Autophagy is a process by which cells that are under stress and deprived of nutrients pause to recycle themselves in order to maintain viability. Autophagosomes comprised of cellular organelles are formed, followed by Lysosomal destruction; the cell then uses the substrates for synthesis and reconstitution. Cells in autophagy do not replicate… 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
IDH1 and IDH2 inhibitors
IDH1 and IDH2 are enzymes in the Krebs Cycle of glucose metabolism – IDH1 (AG-120) is active in the cyotplasm and IDH2 (AG-221) is active in the mitochondria. Phase 1 clinical studies of these compounds are underway. 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