“Preclinical studies have shown that adding HGS-ETR1 to gemcitabine and cisplatin results in increased cytotoxicity. These data warrant further study of HGS-ETR1 in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in phase II trials to evaluate its potential for use in the treatment of specific cancers,” said Professor Dr Elisabeth de Vries, head of the division of medical oncology, Groningen University Hospital, The Netherlands.
The primary objective of the study, which is being conducted in the Netherlands, is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin.
Human Genome Sciences commented that the maximum tolerated dose of HGS-ETR1 has not yet been reached and patients will continue to be enrolled in the phase Ib study.