Drugs
Researchers from INSERM U375, IRCAD have successfully developed a novel approach to killing pancreatic cancer cells using a modified Escherichia coli suicide gene. The study, published in the Journal of Gene Medicine, utilized a cell-specific gene delivery system to limit host toxicity. By harnessing the power of tumor marker promoters,
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Preclinical studies have identified the molecular pathways by which mda-7, the active component of INGN 241, induces growth arrest and programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells. Researchers at Introgen Therapeutics, Inc., and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that MDA-7 protein binds to a
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Research conducted at Gifu University in Japan suggests that the efficacy of certain chemotherapy treatments for gastric cancer may be linked to the status of the p53 gene. A study published in the International Journal of Oncology found that cancers with wild-type p53 may respond better to treatment with 5-fluorouracil
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In a special session at the American Society of Gene Therapy 8th Annual Meeting (ASGT), Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (INGN) highlighted the progress of its investigational cancer therapies, Advexin(R) and INGN 225. These therapies are currently being evaluated in Phase 3 and Phase 2 trials, respectively. The session, titled "
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Clinical trials led by researchers at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have shown that celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, can be safely used concurrently with thoracic radiotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study aimed to determine whether celecoxib could be safely
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Advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients who received Introgen Therapeutics' investigational cancer vaccine, INGN 225, showed a significantly higher response rate to second-line chemotherapy compared to historical controls. The results of the phase II trial, presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
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Recent research in the United States has made significant strides in gene transfer, focusing on developing new strategies for therapeutic gene expression. Studies have explored the use of bicistronic vectors, synthetic cyclodextrin-based constructs, and the Sleeping Beauty transposon system to improve gene transfer efficiency and long-term expression. These innovative approaches
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Research published in the May 15, 2005, issue of Cancer Research demonstrated that a monoclonal antibody, Tarvacin, in combination with docetaxel significantly inhibited human breast cancer growth in mouse models. The study found that the combination therapy resulted in a 93% inhibition of tumor growth, compared to 50% and 70%
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Research in cancer vaccines has been gaining momentum, with studies in the United States, Australia, and France shedding light on innovative approaches to inducing tumor-specific immunity. By targeting surrogate tumor antigens, short peptide sequences, and self-reactive T cell receptors, scientists are developing effective strategies to combat cancer. These findings offer
Drugs
Cytogen, a biopharmaceutical company, and Dowpharma, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Co., have entered into a collaboration to create a targeted oncology product designed to treat prostate and other cancers. Under the agreement, Dowpharma's proprietary MeO-DOTA bifunctional chelant technology will be used to radiolabel Cytogen'
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Scientists in Japan have identified the angiotensin II type 1 receptor as a potential target for ovarian cancer therapy. According to a study published in Clinical Cancer Research, this receptor is expressed in a significant proportion of invasive ovarian adenocarcinomas and is involved in tumor progression and angiogenesis. The researchers
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Combining GVAX cancer vaccines with anti-angiogenesis agents that block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) demonstrates significant antitumor activity in preclinical tumor models. This combination treatment shows promise in various types of cancer, including melanoma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, and myeloma. Preclinical studies presented at the American Association
