Biopeer

Battle against lung cancer continues

In separate studies, researchers have come up with possible treatment options for lung cancer.

Scientists are on their way to treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with gene therapy and nanotechnology. Scientists from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center conducted a study on mice to test whether gene therapy administered through lipid-based nanoparticles can successfully fight tumors. They sent positively charged nanoparticles to the negatively charged cancer cell membrane. When these nanoparticles are taken into the cell, the genes express the tumor suppressing p53 or FUS1 gene depending on the design. The scientists then found that while p53 and FUS1 individually fought well against cancer, they were most effective when combined. The two together bring about apoptosis, a process wherein the cancer cells self-destruct. Since FUS1 hinders the functioning of a gene that destroys p53, the combination therapy caused more cells to die. In the final analysis, the combination caused a 75 per cent reduction in the number of tumors per mouse and a decrease of 80 per cent in the weight of the tumors.

Meanwhile, the lung cancer vaccine Stimuvax that scientists from Cancer Research UK had prepared is now set to enter phase III of its clinical trial. Stimuvax is a therapeutic vaccine that will compel the immune system to kill MUC1, a molecule found in large quantities in tumor cells. This way, no harm will be done to the healthy cells. Merck KgaA will conduct this trial named START (Stimulating Targeted Antigenic Responses To NSCLC). The trial will evaluate the efficacy of Stimuvax in comparison to a placebo. It aims to involve over 1,300 patients across 30 countries. With lung cancer being the most common cancer worldwide, any progress towards its treatment is welcome news.

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Innovative endeavors to battle brain tumors

A new clinical trial for a vaccine to treat glioma has shown promising results at UCSF Medical Center, USA. As a part of the trial, a group of six patients was administered vitespen, a vaccine made from the patient's tumor. The vaccine contained a “fingerprint” of the patient’s specific cancer. Preliminary observation of vitespen vaccination revealed that it was successful in reprogramming the participant’s immune system and affected only those cancer cells that bore the fingerprints. Glioma is a central nervous system tumor that usually occurs in the brain.

In a similar development, nanotechnology shows promising results in killing brain tumor cells. Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center conducted a study on rats with cancer. The rats were divided into two groups; the first group was administered the regular Photofrin therapy and the second group was treated with the Photofrin/nanoparticle method. The results of the experiment showed that the rats of the first group survived only for 13 days while those in the second group survived for 33 days. Also, the disease did not recur in 40 per cent of these rats even six months later. By using nanoparticles to direct Photofrin to target only cancerous tumor cells, the researchers have highlighted the possibility of a complete cure from brain cancer.

Meanwhile, scientists of the Emory University, in partnership with researchers at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, have discovered a biomarker of brain tumor. They found that levels of soluble attractin in the cerebrospinal fluid increased when the person is suffering from brain tumor. Since this biomarker can be detected only when there is a tumor in the central nervous system, the researchers are hopeful that it will help doctors track the response of the tumor to the treatment with a minimally invasive procedure.

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Biovest cancer vaccine on a fast track

Biovest International Inc received promising news from FDA (Food and Drug Administration) on both a proposed vaccine and a device to help develop new vaccines. Biovest is a majority-owned subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

The company received ‘Fast-Track’ status for a vaccine focused on follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997, a highly potential therapy can be provided ‘Fast-Track’ status, provided that the agency is convinced of the potential of that particular drug candidate to address previously unmet medical needs by treating serious or life-threatening conditions.

According to company officials, a lengthy and closely focused Phase 2 trials showed that 19 of 20 patients treated with BiovaxID, the company’s personalized biologic therapeutic, remained in either complete or partial remission.

Biovest is set to begin Phase 3 clinical trials, which will be conducted in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute. The trails will target more than 400 patients for BiovaxID, a supplement to other treatments, like chemotherapy, when followed by a rest period of at least six months. “The Fast-Track news means we can move forward (in Phase 3 trials) without waiting for the end of earlier work”, said Dr Steve Arikian, Chairman and CEO of Biovest. “This action by the FDA will help us bring BiovaxID to patients more quickly, and allow us to communicate closely with the FDA on a regular basis.”

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, is more than seven times as common as the other general type of lymphoma, also called Hodgkin's disease. Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, lymphocyte transplantation and monoclonal antibodies, often see a good response but the cancer invariably returns and is often fatal. It involves a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte and is found in approximately 65,000 new patients each year in the United States.

Dr Arikian informed that the Phase 2 trial of BiovaxID, “successfully induced molecular remission in approximately 70 per cent of the evaluable treated patients—meaning that cancer cells could not be detected in the patient's blood using the most sensitive molecular screening techniques available”.

In another development, Biovest also received FDA approval to market its device called AutovaxID, whose potential customers are academic laboratories and pharmaceutical research facilities. AutovaxID is an instrument designed to produce cells or cell-derived products for personalized medicine applications. 

Developments in cervical cancer vaccine and drug

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewers, Gardasil, a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), is safe and effective. Merck, a drug company has produced the vaccine and expects it to be approved in early June.

Merck produced Gardasil to prevent infection from HPV, a virus that causes cervical cancer. Gardasil offers protection to women from four types of HPV, including types 16 and 18, the most common ones. The FDA reviewers agree with the drug company's findings. Merck carried out studies with Gardasil on females aged between 9 and 26 years. The vaccine was tested in more than 27,000 people, 250 of whom were 9-year-olds. The company says that Gardasil offers optimum protection when girls are inoculated before they become sexually active. The panel is expected to have some discussion about the age at which women should be given Gardasil.

In another development on HPV, NanoVir Inc, a Kalamazoo-based biotechnology firm has discovered a new drug that may be able to cure HPV. They have identified new chemical compounds that target the virus. Dr Chris Fisher, Biologist and Co-founder of NanoVir, declared the research results at the recent International Conference for Antiviral Research in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He said that the compounds have only been tested on human cells in a lab, where they reduced the viral DNA by more than 90 per cent. Dr Fisher also pointed out that recent advances in preventing cervical cancer have focused on vaccines, instead of antiviral treatments. But hope for those currently infected with HPV is also necessary.

NanoVir is currently seeking grant money to begin testing the new drug on animals, which may begin in 2007. Based on the results, the drug will move to human clinical trials within three years.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, affecting more than 50 per cent of sexually active adults. It is estimated that cervical cancers kill about 300,000 to 500,000 women worldwide each year, including almost 4,000 in the United States.

New vaccine brings hope for brain tumor patients

A new vaccine that assures to be effective in increasing the life span of brain tumor patients by a few years has been developed by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The vaccine however, does not promise a complete cure for the cancerous brain tumor growth.  The study was based on the facts that Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most dangerous type of brain tumor, tends to grow rapidly by spreading to other tissues and may result in death in a short period of one year. Moreover, GBM normally affects the age group between 50 and 70 and its occurrence is found more in men than in women. The new developed vaccine targets epidermal growth factor variant III (EGFRvIII), which is a tumor-specific cell surface protein, coating nearly 30 per cent of GBM tumors but is non-existent in normal tissues.

According to the research conducted by scientists, the new vaccine proved effective in increasing the survival period of the patients by 18 months. In the second phase of the research, 23 patients of GBM were administered with three vaccines at two-week intervals. Thereafter a monthly vaccination was given after undergoing conformal radiation and concurrent temozolomide therapy. The study revealed that median time to tumor progression in vaccine-treated patients was 12.1 months compared to the other unvaccinated patients of GBM who showed a median time of tumor progression as 7.1 months.

Additionally, scientists believe that this immunotherapy method would be an easier alternative for physicians, as it does not involve any kind of intensive manipulation of the patients’ immune cells. Preparations for a multi-institutional randomized clinical trial are in progress to test the viability of the new vaccine.

Cancer drug enters clinical trials

Nicholas Piramal India Ltd (NPIL), a Mumbai-based pharma major, has commenced clinical studies of its main anti-cancer drug molecule. The new chemical entity, called P276-00, has entered Phase I and II clinical studies, which are being held in Canada. The study involves patients being infused intravenously with P276-00.

P276-00 is the first in a series of compounds from NPIL’s research centre to go into clinical trials. It is an inhibitor of the key protein that is required by cells to multiply. Since cancer cells have an unbridled growth pattern, P276-00 is effective as it blocks the key enzyme at the ‘entry stage’. This prevents the cells from synthesizing other necessary elements before they divide, which forces the cells to embark on the path of programmed cell death.

The Phase I and II studies will help determine a safe and potential efficacious dose before the next stage of trials. In addition to examining the improvements that may be observed on CT scans of the treated patients, an innovative clinical trial design is being employed that will also help evaluate the drug’s effect even at the cellular level. This will assist in further refining the strategies for additional Phase II studies.

Last year, Bangalore-based biotech major Biocon had commenced Phase II clinical trials of its drug TheraCIM (h-R3), a humanized monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of head and neck cancers. Based on initial laboratory data, P276-00 appears suitable as an agent to treat lung, breast and colon cancers. The selective nature of P276-00 is likely to make patients much more tolerant to this drug as compared to other treatments. If it is able to go through accelerated clinical trials, which are approved in products meant for terminal illnesses, NPIL hopes to launch its first cancer drug by 2008.

Researchers discover link between broken bones and ovarian cancer: protein MUC1

Researchers have discovered that women who have broken a bone may have unintentionally reduced their risk of getting ovarian cancer.

The study reported in the May issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention that the factor in common is a protein called MUC1. The scientists expect the discovery could offer new insights into a vaccine against ovarian cancer.

High levels of antibodies against MUC1 generally result in a lower incidence of ovarian cancer. Bone fractures are one of the seven conditions that lead to higher levels of these  antibodies as well as "mastitis during breast feeding, use of an intrauterine device, development of osteoporosis and several types of gynecological surgery, including tubal ligation, cervical conization and caesarean section." Some of these procedures are already known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

MUC1 is made by healthy cells that line the reproductive organs, the breast, intestine and airways. Ovarian tumour cells, as well as breast and endometrial cancers, also make the protein, but the cancer version of MUC1 lacks certain elements.

The study revealed that women who experienced two events which elevated their MUC1 antibody levels were about 30 percent less likely to develop ovarian cancer than women with none or one event. If they had experienced five or more events, they were 70 per cent less likely to develop ovarian cancer.

Support for cervical cancer (HPV) vaccine increases but will decision-makers try to block it?

When a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) becomes available in the next few years, pilot surveys indicate that a majority of women would welcome the vaccine that "will prevent 75% of cervical cancers."

A concern is that conservative decision-makers could block the vaccination once it becomes available as the virus is sexually transmitted. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the U.S.

HPV is a cause of cervical cancer, genital warts, and also considered to be a cause of penile cancer. In a small-scale trial of 1,158 women, the vaccine cut the infection rate by 90%. Another trial of 18,000 women is expected to report its results in the next few years.

Ideally, the HPV vaccine should be given to boys and girls before they become sexually active as the vaccine would work by preventing the spread of HPV. A pilot survey reveals that most mothers of children ages eight to 14 would accept vaccination against cervical cancer for themselves and for their children.

Rare apples may aid cancer fight

Two rare apple varieties identified by a New Zealand researcher hold hopes for fighting cancer.

The apples are reported to have high levels of chemical compounds that have been found to kill cancer cells.

Part-time researcher Mark Christensen discovered one of the varieties, Monty's Surprise, by chance on an old tree in a remote area of New Zealand. It is believed to be the only one of its kind growing anywhere in the world.

Trials on the apples at Cornell University in New York, and other universities are now being undertaken. Read the article.

Vaccine shows promise for prostate cancer

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have reported promising results with an experimental cancer vaccine that primes the body's immune system to attack tumors.

This is the first time that a therapeutic cancer vaccine appears to have allowed patients to live longer - on average by 4.5 months.