Pain Therapeutics skin cancer antibody shows promise

Historically, monoclonal antibodies have been ineffective in melanoma. However, scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine believe they have developed a new approach to the technology. They have manufactured new types of radio-labeled monoclonal antibodies that target melanoma tumor sites and deliver a short burst of lethal radiation to melanoma tumors. The specificity of this treatment ensures the destruction of the tumors without harming normal tissue.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting extension of our business model because we think it creates an unprecedented means to address metastatic melanoma and perhaps other difficult-to-treat diseases with new therapeutic strategies. Pain is the most common symptom in patients suffering from cancer, so for us oncology is a natural horizontal expansion of our roots in pain management,” said Remi Barbier, CEO of Pain Therapeutics.

In the study mice that were treated with the radio-labeled antibodies, tumor growth was completely inhibited. Pain Therapeutics cautioned, however, that this apparent success in mice must be demonstrated in human clinical trials before the therapeutic impact of the technology can be evaluated. Pilot trials involving patients with melanoma are now being planned at university centers.

“Since the year 2000, the FDA has approved two different radio-labeled antibodies in oncology. We think this bodes well for the future of this approach,” added George Ben Thornton, vice president of technology at Pain Therapeutics.

Under the terms of the agreement between the companies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine was paid an undisclosed upfront fee and may receive milestone payments totaling approximately $3.5 million. Pain Therapeutics receives worldwide commercial rights to all indications in oncology and infectious disease.