Picoplatin is a new generation platinum therapy that provides a differentiated spectrum of activity and an improved safety profile. The drug is designed to overcome platinum resistance associated with the treatment of solid tumors.
In addition to the trial in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, picoplatin is being studied in an ongoing multi-center phase II clinical trial in patients with small cell lung cancer and in a phase I/II clinical trial as a potential front-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer.
“We believe the findings of the present phase I/II study may support the broad use of picoplatin with taxanes, such as docetaxel and paclitaxel, and that the use of picoplatin as a front-line treatment will reduce the likelihood of chemoresistance associated with other marketed platinums.”
NeoRx Corporation is currently in the process of changing its name to Poniard Pharmaceuticals.