CytRx’s INNO-206 Shows Tumor Shrinkage In Animal Model

CytRx has reported that INNO-206 showed to inhibit tumor growth in an experimental animal model of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). INNO-206 is a pro-drug derivative of the commonly prescribed chemotherapeutic agent – doxorubicin.

INNO-206 is designed to reduce adverse events by controlling drug release and preferentially targeting tumors. In a phase 1 clinical trial, INNO-206 was administered in doses at up to six times the standard dosing of doxorubicin, without an increase in observed side effects over those historically seen with doxorubicin.

Reportedly, in the phase 1 clinical trial of 35 patients with various cancers treated with INNO-206, three patients showed a partial tumor reduction and 20 patients showed stable disease over the course of the trial. All three of the partial responses occurred at the higher dose ranges of the dose-ranging safety study.

Steven Kriegsman, president and CEO of CytRx, said: “We hold the exclusive worldwide rights to INNO-206, which has demonstrated statistically significant efficacy in animal models of multiple cancer types. INNO-206 epitomizes our corporate strategy of minimizing development risk by focusing on drug candidates that have been tested in humans with very fundamental mechanisms of action that make them potentially efficacious in multiple oncology indications.

The ability to inhibit SCLC tumor growth in an animal model is gratifying given the fact that this cancer is particularly devastating. In light of this compelling animal data in SCLC, and previously announced positive data showing INNO-206’s potential to treat breast, pancreatic and ovarian cancer, we are designing potential Phase II clinical trials for one or more of those deadly diseases, and expect to announce our plans in the fourth quarter of 2009,” he added.