Titan Pharmaceuticals Announces Initiation of Phase II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Study with Ceavac(R) and TriAb(R) by The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
Study Supported by the National Cancer Institute
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Titan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Amex: TTP - news) today announced
initiation of a Phase II clinical study of combination therapy with two of its novel monoclonal antibodies, CeaVac® and TriAb®, for
the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The multi-center trial is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and conducted by
the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG).
RTOG is a multi-institutional cancer research group funded by the NCI, comprised of approximately 250 major clinical centers in the
U.S. and Canada, with nearly 30 years of experience running clinical trials. CeaVac and TriAb have been selected by the group for
evaluation as the first bivalent immunotherapy to be evaluated in this patient population. The study is designed to assess the safety
and preliminary efficacy of CeaVac and TriAb in combination with radiation therapy in patients with stage IIB and stage IIIA
non-small cell lung cancer. It will be conducted at multiple centers under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Movsas, M.D., at the Fox
Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
Commenting on the initiation of this study, Dr. Movsas stated, ``The ability of both CeaVac and TriAb to generate robust and
sustained anti-cancer immune responses has been demonstrated in previous clinical studies. Based on this experience, we are hopeful
that this bivalent immunotherapy administered in combination with radiation therapy may provide an improved approach to the
treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.''
CeaVac and TriAb are monoclonal antibodies being developed by Titan as potential treatments for several types of cancer. CeaVac
mimics the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which is present in a number of tumor types, including non-small cell lung cancer,
colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and gastric cancer. TriAb mimics the human milk fat globule (HMFG) antigen, which is present
in high density on a number of tumor types, including non-small cell lung cancer. These monoclonal antibodies trigger the immune
system's response to recognize and attack the targeted cancer cells. In non-small cell lung cancer, tumor cells express both CEA and
HMFG.
``We are pleased that the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the National Cancer Institute have launched this important clinical
trial,'' said Dr. Louis R. Bucalo, Chairman, President and CEO of Titan Pharmaceuticals. ``Titan's monoclonal antibody
immunotherapeutic products, CeaVac, TriAb and TriGem(TM), were developed to be used in combination with current cancer
treatments, and generate excellent immune responses when used with such standard treatments. This study by the RTOG takes
advantage of this important property and is applying it to the setting of radiation therapy. Another advantage is that these three
separate monoclonal products can be used in combination against cancers expressing two or more target antigens, providing a simple
approach to multivalent immunotherapy. Since many different cancer types express two or more of these target antigens, the strategy used in this study can be applied to
several other types of cancer.''
About Titan Pharmaceuticals
Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amex: TTP - news) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel treatments for central
nervous system (CNS) disorders, cancer and other serious and life-threatening diseases. Titan has assembled a deep pipeline of products utilizing novel technologies that
have the potential to significantly improve the treatment of these diseases. Titan also establishes important partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies and
government institutions for the development of its products. Zomaril(TM), Titan's novel drug for the treatment of schizophrenia, is being developed through a corporate
partnership agreement with Novartis Pharma AG. Titan has also entered into a corporate partnership with Schering AG to develop and commercialize Spheramine®, a
novel treatment for Parkinson's disease. In addition, several clinical programs in cancer therapy are supported by large oncology cooperative groups that are funded by
the National Cancer Institute. |
