Tag Archives: Phase II clinical study

ProLindac Produces 66% Disease Stabilization In Heavily-Pretreated Patients Within Phase II Study High Dose Groups

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“… ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. … , announced today positive safety and efficacy results from its Phase 2 monotherapy clinical study of ProLindac(TM) in late-stage, heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients. In this monotherapy study 66% of patients who received the highest dose achieved clinically meaningful disease stabilization according to RECIST [Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors] criteria. No patient in any dose group exhibited any signs of acute neurotoxicity, which is a major adverse side-effect of the approved DACH platinum, Eloxatin, and ProLindac was well tolerated overall. The maximum tolerated dose of ProLindac was established as well as the recommended dose levels for future combination studies. …”

“66% of evaluable heavily-pretreated patients in the high dose groups achieved disease stabilization. ProLindac was well tolerated overall.

DALLAS, March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTCBB: ACCP), announced today positive safety and efficacy results from its Phase 2 monotherapy clinical study of ProLindac(TM) in late-stage, heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients. In this monotherapy study 66% of patients who received the highest dose achieved clinically meaningful disease stabilization according to RECIST [Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors] criteria. No patient in any dose group exhibited any signs of acute neurotoxicity, which is a major adverse side-effect of the approved DACH platinum, Eloxatin, and ProLindac was well tolerated overall. The maximum tolerated dose of ProLindac was established as well as the recommended dose levels for future combination studies.

‘We are very pleased with these results. ProLindac was well tolerated in an absolute sense and relative to commercially-available platinum therapies. We saw significant DACH platinum activity and efficacy in patients at the highest dose levels which is very encouraging given that this study involved monotherapy in a heavily pretreated patient population that typically only respond to an aggressive drug combination,’ commented Dr. David Nowotnik, Access’ Senior Vice President R&D. ‘The DACH platinum activity level seen benchmarked favorably with published studies of monotherapy oxaliplatin in similar but less heavily pre-treated patient populations. Having achieved the recommended dose for future combination studies, we look forward to moving ahead in the clinic ourselves and with our regional partners.’

This 26 patient Phase 2 study explored 3 different dose levels and 2 dosing regimens of ProLindac as a monotherapy treatment for advanced ovarian cancer, to provide data on the monotherapy anticancer activity and safety of ProLindac. Of patients eligible for evaluation according to standard RECIST criteria, clinically-meaningful disease stabilization was achieved in 42% of all patients, and 66% of all patients in the higher dose groups. Sustained and significant reductions in Ca-125, the established specific serum marker for ovarian cancer, were also observed in several patients.

‘We are delighted that the results from this study support our belief that ProLindac is an active platinum agent with a favorable side effect profile,’ stated Jeffrey B. Davis, Access’ President & CEO. ‘These data provide us with a strong incentive to continue the clinical development of ProLindac. As previously announced, we are currently planning a number of combination trials, looking at combining ProLindac with other cancer agents, such as taxol and gemcitabine, in multiple solid tumor indications including colorectal and ovarian.’

Access has previously announced that it has licensed ProLindac to Jiangsu Aosaikang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“ASK”) for the Greater China Region and to JCOM, Ltd for South Korea. Under these agreements both of these partners will be conducting Phase 2 combination studies with ProLindac in specific tumor types at their expense based on these results. Access is currently in discussion with potential partners for development and commercialization of ProLindac in additional territories.

About ProLindac(TM):

ProLindac is a novel DACH platinum prodrug which has been shown to be active in a wide variety of solid tumors in both preclinical models and in human trials. Access believes that ProLindac’s unique molecular design potentially could eliminate some of the toxic side effects seen in the currently marketed DACH platinum, Eloxatin, which has sales in excess of $2 billion.

About Access:

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes propriety products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access’ products include ProLindac(TM), currently in Phase 2 clinical testing of patients with ovarian cancer, and MuGard(TM) for the management of patients with mucositis. The company also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including Cobalamin(TM)-mediated targeted delivery and oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism; Angiolix(R), a humanized monoclonal antibody which acts as an anti-angiogenesis factor and is targeted to breast cancer; Prodrax(R), a non-toxic prodrug which is activated in the hypoxic zones of solid tumors to kill cancer cells; Alchemix, a chemotherapeutic agent that combines multiple modes of action to overcome drug resistance. Access is also developing Phenylbutyrate (“PB”), an HDAC inhibitor and differentiating agent currently a Phase 2 clinical candidate. Access recently announced the acquisition of MacroChem Corporation. This acquisition provides Access with three additional late-stage product candidates. Pexiganan, a novel topical anti-infective for the treatment of diabetic foot infection, has already completed two Phase 3 trials. EcoNail is a topically applied econazole lacquer based on Access’ proprietary SEPA polymer technology, for the treatment of onychomycosis, a condition commonly known as nail fungus. Thiarabine is a new generation nucleoside analog which has demonstrated both pre-clinical and clinical activity in certain cancers. For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for ProLindac and product candidates acquired in the MacroChem transaction, our ability to execute licensing agreements in the future, Access’ plans to continue and initiate clinical trials, the value of its products in the market, its ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and its ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited Access’ need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access’ Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

Quoted Source:  66% of evaluable heavily-pretreated patients in the high dose groups achieved disease stabilization. ProLindac was well tolerated, Press Release, lAccess Pharmaceuticals, Inc., March 5, 2009.

Evaluation of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Debulking Followed by Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Women with Stage III and IV Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

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It is well known that intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy prolongs survival in optimally cytoreduced (or debulked) ovarian cancer patients.  For patients who can not be optimally debulked, it is possible to administer neoadjuvant chemotherapy to place that patient in a position to be optimally debulked (i.e., 1 cm or less of residual disease post surgery) , thereby allowing the use of post-surgery IP chemotherapy (assuming optimal cytoreduction is achieved through surgery). This theory was tested in a Phase II clinical study (S0009) conducted by the Southwest Oncology Group (SOG). …

It is well known that intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy prolongs survival in optimally cytoreduced (or debulked) ovarian cancer patients.  For patients who can not be optimally debulked, it is possible to administer neoadjuvant chemotherapy to place that patient in a position to be optimally debulked (i.e., 1 cm or less of residual disease post surgery) , thereby allowing the use of post-surgery IP chemotherapy (assuming optimal cytoreduction is achieved through surgery). This theory was tested in a Phase II clinical study (S0009) conducted by the Southwest Oncology Group (SOG).

In SOG Study S009, researchers sought to evaluate overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), percentage of patients optimally debulked, and toxicity in Stage III/IV ovarian cancer patients treated with this strategy.

As part of the study, women with stage III/IV (pleural effusions only in stage IV) epithelial ovarian cancer, and fallopian tube or primary peritoneal carcinoma that presented with bulky disease were treated with neoadjuvant intravenous (IV) paclitaxel and carboplatin.  If, after neoadjuvant IV chemotherapy, the patient experienced a 50% or greater decrease in her CA125 tumor marker, cytoreduction surgery was performed.  If optimal debulking was achieved, the patient received IV paclitaxel, IP carboplatin and IP paclitaxel post-surgery.

The results of the study are set forth below.

  • 62 patients were registered for the study, of which four were ineligible.
  • 56 patients were evaluated for neoadjuvant chemotherapy toxicities. One patient died of pneumonia. Five patients had grade 4 toxicity, including neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia, anorexia, fatigue, muscle weakness, respiratory infection, and cardiac ischemia.
  • 36 patients received debulking surgery, and two patients had grade 4 hemorrhage.
  • 26 patients received post-cytoreduction chemotherapy. Four had grade 4 neutropenia.
  • At a median follow-up of 21 months, median PFS is 21 months and median OS is 32 months for all 58 patients.
  • PFS and OS for the 26 patients who received IV/IP chemotherapy is 29 and 34 months, respectively

The researchers performing the study concluded that the results compare favorably with other studies of sub-optimally debulked (i.e., >1 cm of residual disease post surgery) patients.

Primary Source:  Phase II evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and debulking followed by intraperitoneal chemotherapy in women with stage III and IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer: Southwest Oncology Group Study S0009; Tiersten AD, Liu PY, Smith HO et. al., Gynecol Oncol. 2009 Mar;112(3):444-9. Epub 2009 Jan 12.