Antisoma starts Phase I trial of anticancer drug

The trial has two parts. In the first, successive cohorts of patients will receive increasing doses of AS1409. This will continue until a maximum tolerated dose is identified. The second part of the trial will evaluate the safety and activity of that dose in around 20 more patients. Final results are expected in 2009.

AS1409 is a genetically engineered fusion protein, which combines the anti-tumour cytokine IL-12 with a tumour-targeting antibody. The targeting antibody used in AS1409 binds to a protein found around blood vessels in many types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate, as well as renal cancer and melanoma.

Glyn Edwards, CEO of Antisoma, said: “Antisoma now has four drugs in clinical trials, each based on different technology and with different targets and modes of action. The progress of AS1409 into the clinic exemplifies our success in building a broad pipeline of cancer drugs addressing significant unmet needs and market opportunities.”