SCLN...Good news.. This should rock " should we say "$21"
NewsWire ZADAXIN Plus Chemotherapy Shows Promise for Improved Survival in Advanced Skin Cancer
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Skin Cancer
Phase 2 Results Published in Melanoma Research
SAN MATEO, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire/ --
SciClone Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SCLN) announced today that a study published
in the peer-reviewed journal Melanoma Research (Volume 10, Issue 2,
April 2000) suggests that ZADAXIN(R), SciClone's lead immunotherapy, increases
the effectiveness of chemotherapy for metastatic malignant melanoma, the
deadliest form of skin cancer and one of the most rapidly increasing types of
cancer worldwide.
In the open label pilot Phase 2 study of 20 stage III-IV metastatic
malignant melanoma patients, there was a response rate of 50% to the
combination therapy of ZADAXIN, dacarbazine (DTIC) and interferon.
Five patients showed a complete response and 5 showed a partial response.
Median survival among all patients was 11.5 months, with 5 patients having
survived for more than 2 years, and 2 patients having survived for more than
5 years. No additional side effects or toxicities were observed from the
inclusion of ZADAXIN.
DTIC therapy significantly depresses a patient's immune system. In the
study, ZADAXIN significantly improved the patients' immune system by restoring
their natural killer (NK) cells and helper T-cells (CD4), both of which are
disease fighting white blood cells.
"We believe ZADAXIN immunotherapy will be a key component of multiple drug
treatments for numerous cancers, infectious diseases and immune system
disorders," said Donald R. Sellers, SciClone's President and Chief Executive
Officer. "This study, in addition to a prior pilot phase 2 metastatic
malignant melanoma study, several preclinical cancer studies, recent mechanism
of action studies and our long experience in treating hepatitis patients, all
validate that belief. We expect malignant melanoma to be a major focus of our
new U.S. cancer program."
No proven life-prolonging therapy exists for metastatic malignant
melanoma, the leading cause of skin cancer death. Approximately 44,000 new
cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. and 7,300 deaths are reported. The
response rate with the current drug of choice, DTIC, is approximately 20% and
is usually of short duration with little impact on survival.
Many patients with cancer and chronic infectious diseases have an impaired
immune system. ZADAXIN significantly enhances the immune system's ability to
recognize and destroy cancerous and infected cells. ZADAXIN may be a key
component in the growing trend toward multiple drug cocktails for cancer and
infectious diseases. ZADAXIN immunotherapy is in late-stage development for
cancer and viral hepatitis worldwide. ZADAXIN now is approved for marketing
in 19 countries, principally for treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
SciClone has filed for ZADAXIN marketing approval in 18 additional countries.
SciClone Pharmaceuticals is a global specialty pharmaceutical company that
develops and commercializes novel medicines for treating a broad range of the
world's most serious diseases. The Company has focused its current product
development and commercialization activities on cancer, hepatitis B, hepatitis
C, drug-resistant tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis. Press releases and
corporate information from SciClone Pharmaceuticals are available on the
Internet at www.sciclone.com or by calling the Company's Investor Relations
Department at 800-724-2566. SciClone's Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq
National Market(R) under the symbol SCLN.
The information in this press release includes certain forward-looking
statements concerning the Company's current expectations regarding future
events, including the ongoing and prospective development and
commercialization of ZADAXIN immunotherapy for cancer, including metastatic
malignant melanoma in the U.S., and the timing of the start and potential for
success of the Company's U.S. phase 2 studies for metastatic malignant
melanoma. Due to market factors and the nature of product development and the
regulatory approval process, the forward-looking statements contained in this
press release are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those
reflected in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
SOURCE SciClone Pharmaceuticals
-0- 04/06/2000
/CONTACT: Shawn K. Singh, J.D., Chief Business Officer, 650-358-1451, or
Ruth Koh, Investor Relations, 650-358-3437, both of SciClone Pharmaceuticals/
/Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 775865/
/Web site: sciclone.com
(SCLN)
CO: SciClone Pharmaceuticals
ST: California
IN: MTC PUB
SU:
JD-JJ
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