Start of Phase III trials for Virulizin on Pancreatic Cancer supposed to start Oct 2001.
"The Globe's Leonard Zehr writes that Lorus
is preparing to begin a $12-million (Canadian) late-stage test of Virulizin in
patients with pancreatic cancer, which represents an annual $400-million (U.S.)
market. It also is holding talks with pharmaceutical companies to distribute the
drug, which could be on the market in 2004."
Timeline sounds a bit optimistic.
Lifted the following clip from LOR's website:
Macrophages
Macrophages are located throughout the body and serve as an important line of defense
in several ways. One of their most crucial roles is to protect the body against the
development of cancer. Scientists still do not fully understand the control of this
macrophage-mediated tumor cell destruction, a fact that has slowed the development of
successful immunotherapy for many types of cancer.
Virulizin®
Virulizin® is a potent and unique activator of human macrophages and may have
significant potential in the immunotherapy of cancer patients. The drug is purified from
bovine bile through a proprietary production process at Lorus's manufacturing facility.
Virulizin® has been shown in vitro to directly stimulate certain macrophages to express
a tumor-killing function. Virulizin's® function, or cytocidal capacity, has been shown to
be as potent as other, more conventional macrophage activators. Additional evidence
suggests that Virulizin® has potential as an immunotherapeutic drug in the treatment of
many forms of cancer.
Even more important is the finding that macrophages taken from cancer patients can be
activated by Virulizin® despite the inability of these same macrophages to respond to
other conventional activators. In other in vitro studies, Virulizin® has been shown to
stimulate the macrophage-mediated destruction of tumors obtained from patients
undergoing chemotherapy.
In the last eight years, Virulizin® has been evaluated in over 450 patients who received
more than 16,000 injections of the drug Virulizin® and has demonstrated an excellent
safety profile. Preliminary results suggest that Virulizin® immunotherapy may be
associated with prolonged patient survival and an improved quality of life. Moreover,
patients with pancreatic cancer and malignant melanoma have survived longer,compared
to historical controls, when they have been administered Virulizin®.
Mark, what's your view on LOR's Virulizin vs OXO's WF-10? Thanks. |
