Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Receives Grant to Study Combination Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced the receipt of a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to study the use of vascular targeting antibodies in combination with chemotherapy agents for the treatment of prostate cancer. The grant, totaling $582,988, will be used to support pre-clinical studies at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The studies aim to investigate the potential of Tarvacin Anti-Cancer, a monoclonal antibody that targets phospholipids exposed on the surface of tumor cells, when used in combination with chemotherapy agents.

Key Takeaways:

• The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a grant totaling $582,988 to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas to study the use of vascular targeting antibodies in combination with chemotherapy agents for the treatment of prostate cancer.
• Dr. Philip Thorpe, professor of pharmacology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, will be the principal investigator of the study.
• Tarvacin Anti-Cancer, Peregrine's lead vascular targeting antibody, will be further studied to assess its potential for use in combination with other cancer agents.
• The results of these studies will support planned clinical trials of Tarvacin Anti-Cancer as a combination therapy agent.
• Tarvacin targets phospholipids exposed on the surface of tumor cells, mobilizing the immune system to attack and destroy both the cancer cells and their blood supply.
• Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, accounting for 30 percent of all male cancers, and is second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer deaths in men.
• Currently, there is no cure for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.
• Peregrine Pharmaceuticals is also developing Tarvacin for the treatment of viral infections, including hepatitis C and influenza.

Statistics:

• $582,988: Total amount of the grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense to study the use of vascular targeting antibodies in combination with chemotherapy agents for the treatment of prostate cancer.
• 30 percent: Percentage of all male cancers that are prostate cancer.
• 1992: Starting year of the Congressional Special Interest Medical Research Programs (CSI) which have handled approximately $3.4 billion in Congressional appropriations for peer-reviewed research aimed at preventing, controlling, and curing disease.
• 3.4 billion: Total amount in Congressional appropriations for peer-reviewed research aimed at preventing, controlling, and curing disease since fiscal year 1992.

Sources:

• "Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Announces U.S. Department of Defense Grant to Study Combination Therapy for Prostate Cancer." Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc., November 3, 2005.
• "Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Receives Grant to Study Combination Therapy for Prostate Cancer." Business Wire, November 3, 2005.