Preliminary results of new chemo drug show promise

Biotechnology company MolMed has issued a press release stating that it will present key findings about two ongoing Phase II trials with Arenegyr at the next American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. The results will be presented at the meeting over June 1 and June 2. MolMed is a biotech company which focuses on research and development of new anti-tumor therapy. Arenegyr is one a relatively new class of anti-cancer drug called a “vascular targeting agent.” These types of drugs selectively target the vascular system of tumors, and prevent cancer cells from receiving vital blood, oxygen, and nutrients. Arenegyr is currently undergoing clinical trials both as a single chemotherapy agent and in combination with different drugs. The new chemotherapy drug is being trialed for mesothelioma and colorectal cancer treatment. MolMed has said in poster sessions that their preliminary results show that Arenegyr has demonstrated both safety and efficacy, has promising survival rates, and may provide substantial clinical benefit. In addition, the drug appears to have low toxicity. In the company’s malignant plural mesothelioma trial, Arenegyr was tested as a “second line therapy” in patients who had received prior chemotherapy treatment. MolMed claims its results show that 41 patients in the trial have overall improved survival rates, and almost doubled progression-free survival rates. Malignant plural mesothelioma is a type of asbestos cancer which develops in the lining of the lungs as a result of exposure to asbestos. The cancer is relatively rare but highly lethal, as the cancer is both aggressive and resistant to treatment. The company has also trialed Arenegyr for the treatment of colorectal cancer, which has a variety of different causes, one of which is known to be asbestos exposure. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, with one million new cases diagnosed every year, and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the Western world. Most patients with advanced colorectal cancer develop resistance to commonly-used therapies, and there is therefore a strong need for new treatments. MolMed’s colorectal cancer study included 43 patients, all of whom had received other types of prior treatments which had all failed. MolMed claims the preliminary data shows a fifty percent relative improved overall survival rate. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MolMed Claudio Bordignon said of the results, “These encouraging preliminary results provide further evidence to support our program of full clinical development of Arenegyr in both indications.” (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)