The company has selected these indications because high levels of the drug’s target are found in these cancers.
AS1409 is a fusion protein with two components. It contains IL12 which is known to have anticancer effects. The other component is EDB fibronectin, a protein associated with tumor blood vessels in a wide range of cancers. AS1409 is designed to be a targeted therapy that delivers IL12 specifically to tumors.
Studies have shown that AS1409 is more effective than an equivalent dose of 1L12 and is expected to cause fewer side effects than 1L12 alone.
Antisoma has said that AS1409 has potential against various tumors. Past clinical trials have suggested that melanoma and renal cancer are particularly sensitive to IL12. Samples from 15 melanoma and 20 renal cancer patients were clearly positive, showing these cancers to be suitable for the initial evaluation of the drug.