Vion Pharma Says Canine Trial Shows Tapet Effective
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Vion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VION) said a canine research trial showed that its TAPET vector injection was safe to administer and produced anti-tumor responses in dogs with advanced cancers.
In a press release Wednesday, the biotechnology company said 24% of the study's 33 dogs demonstrated "significant" anti-tumor responses. The dogs all had measurable tumors and had failed or were not candidates for standard therapies.
The responses included one complete remission in a dog with metastatic melanoma and seven partial responses including dogs with sarcoma and melanoma.
Minor regressions of tumor were observed in several other dogs.
"The results give further confirmation that attenuated Salmonella can be administered repeatedly and with an acceptable safety profile, and provide supporting data for the exploration of additional dosing schedules in humans," the company said.
Vion said about 25% of 110 million dogs and cats develop cancer during their lifetime. About 40% of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer, which is the No. 1 cause of death in dogs.
"Based on these results and with nearly half of all households in the U.S. having a companion animal, Vion will now consider the development of TAPET as a veterinary therapeutic, along with our already existing plans for development as a potential therapeutic delivery system in humans," the company said.
With its TAPET therapy, Vion genetically modified Salmonella bacteria so they are killed by the immune system except in solid tumors, where they multiply rapidly. The hope of this unorthodox approach is that when armed with a cancer-killing agent, they will eliminate solid tumors without endangering noncancerous areas, a problem with current chemotherapy.
Vion shares recently traded at $6.55, down 44 cents, or 6.3%, on Nasdaq SmallCap volume of 162,500 shares. Average daily volume is 113,284 shares. |
