Genmab's Humax-Egfr Eradicates Tumours In Mouse Cancer Studies
In comparison to previously published in vivo studies using other companies' anti-EGFr antibodies, Genmab's HuMax-EGFr was more effective at eliminating established tumours and did so at lower doses with less frequent dosing.
When administered a day after introducing human tumour cells into mouse models, HuMax-EGFr was capable of completely preventing tumour formation at the very low total dose of 50 micrograms.
Furthermore, HuMax-EGFr was also capable of eradicating well-established tumours in the mice at a total dose as low as 125 micrograms.
Unlike earlier anti-EGFr monoclonal antibodies, HuMax- EGFr is composed of entirely human sequence protein.
Such fully human antibodies are expected to avoid the complications sometimes caused by partially-mouse antibodies.
Genmab is currently preparing HuMax-EGFr for human clinical trials, which are expected to begin later this year.
These data were presented today at the 18th International Conference on Advances in the Application of Monoclonal Antibodies in Clinical Oncology in Vouliagmeni, Greece by Jan G.
J.
van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Genmab and Professor of Immunology, Utrecht University.
EGFr is a receptor molecule found in excess on many tumour cells, including carcinoma of the head and neck, breast, colon, prostate, lung, and ovary.
Blocking the interaction between EGFr and molecules that stimulate it, know as ligands, has the potential to reduce tumour growth and tumour survival.
"These results further validate the pursuit of cancer treatments targeting EGFr with monoclonal antibodies," said Dr.
van de Winkel.
"The development of a fully human anti-EGFr antibody has the potential to provide a treatment for certain cancer patients that is effective at a lower dose and causes fewer side effects than currently available options." "We believe that this antibody has demonstrated superiority over previous generations of antibodies in animal studies," said Lisa N.
Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer.
"We look forward to the planned Phase I/II human clinical trial with HuMax-EGFr in cancer patients, expected later this year."... |
