MD Anderson joins the University of Vermont and Scott & White Memorial Hospital in the trial which began treating patients in May 2006.
MD Anderson has joined research into PRX302 following an Institutional Review Board approval.
PRX302 is a pro-drug activated by prostate specific antigen, an enzyme produced in high levels by prostate cancer cells. Once activated, PRX302 reduces the size of a tumor by destroying cancer cells by creating a hole or pore in the cell membrane.
PRX302 is expected to have fewer side effects than traditional or current systemic treatments because it is delivered locally to the prostate.
The phase I trial is intended to examine the safety, tolerability and therapeutic activity of PRX302 in patients with prostate cancer. Protox expects to report interim data from the trial before the end of 2006.