Clinical Data Presented for Genasense(TM) Plus Chemotherapy for Newly Diagnosed Patients with Lung Cancer
11/22/2002 08:00 ET
Results Support Safety and Potential Efficacy for Further Testing Combined with Carboplatin and Etoposide Therapy as Front-Line Therapy for Small Cell Lung Tumors BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Nov 22, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Genta Incorporated ( NASDAQ: GNTA) announced the presentation of clinical data using Genasense(TM) plus chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Results of the clinical trial were presented today at the conference on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" in Frankfurt, Germany, which was jointly sponsored by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the European Organization for the Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), and the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).
In this trial escalating doses of Genasense (oblimerson sodium, G3139) plus two standard anticancer drugs (carboplatin [Paraplatin(R); Bristol Myers Squibb] and etoposide [Vepesid; Bristol Myers Squibb]) were administered to patients with extensive SCLC who had not previously been treated with chemotherapy. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety, antitumor response, and blood levels of the drugs when used together. Results of the study showed that Genasense was well tolerated when used with standard doses of carboplatin/etoposide. Moreover, of the first 12 patients evaluable for response, 10 (83%) achieved a major antitumor response; the remaining 2 patients exhibited stable disease.
Genta, in collaboration with Aventis Pharma, is developing Genasense as an anti-cancer agent that is designed to inhibit production of a protein (known as Bcl-2) that is believed to be a major cause of chemotherapy resistance in cancer cells. Preliminary studies have suggested that Bcl-2 is expressed in up to 90% of patients with SCLC. By reducing levels of Bcl-2 within cancer cells (thereby potentially decreasing resistance to anticancer drugs) Genasense may substantially increase the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy commonly used to treat patients with SCLC.
"As a standard of care, the carboplatin/etoposide combination offers patients a limited option for extended survival," commented Dr. Charles Rudin, Attending Physician at the University of Chicago and Principal Investigator of the clinical trial. "In a disease in which there is known over-expression of Bcl-2, Genasense may amplify the efficacy of this treatment. These preliminary safety and tolerability data are quite encouraging, and we look forward to testing this combination in a future randomized clinical trial."
About Small Cell Lung Cancer
Approximately 20% of all lung cancers are diagnosed as small cell lung cancer (SCLC). SCLC accounts for approximately 110,000 patients annually in the United States. Compared with other cell types of lung cancer, SCLC has a greater tendency to be widely spread by the time of diagnosis. Patients with tumor that has spread beyond the supraclavicular areas are said to have extensive stage disease. Median survival of 7 to 11 months is reported with currently available therapy, but long-term disease-free survival is rare.
About Genasense
Genasense(TM) works by inhibiting the production of Bcl-2, a protein made by cancer cells that is thought to block chemotherapy-induced cell death. By reducing the amount of Bcl-2 in cancer cells, Genasense may enhance the effectiveness of current anticancer treatments. Genasense is currently in multiple, late-stage, randomized clinical trials in patients with malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-small cell lung cancer.
About Aventis
Aventis ( NYSE: AVE) has one of the pharmaceutical industry's leading oncology portfolios, highlighted by Taxotere(R) (docetaxel), one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents worldwide for the treatment of patients with breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Taxotere is also being studied extensively for use in treating patients with multiple other tumor types. Aventis also markets Campto(R) (irinotecan), for advanced colon cancer, in countries outside of the U.S., and Anzemet(R) (dolasetron mesylate), a 5HT3 inhibitor for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in the U.S. The company has a rich pipeline of investigational oncology compounds in addition to Genasense. For a complete listing of Aventis products and pipeline please visit: aventis.com
About Genta
Genta Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company with a diversified product portfolio that is focused on anticancer therapy. The Company's research platform is anchored by oligonucleotide chemistry, particularly applications of antisense and decoy aptamer technology. Genasense(TM), the Company's lead compound, is being developed in collaboration with Aventis and is currently undergoing late-stage, Phase 3 clinical testing in several clinical indications. Genta's pipeline also comprises a portfolio of small molecules, including gallium-containing compounds and Androgenics compounds for prostate cancer. For more information about Genta, please visit our website at: genta.com |
