(I always liked INGN 241 <g>)
Introgen Reports that INGN 241 in Combination with Avastin(R) Results in Complete Tumor Regression
Wednesday January 24, 1:00 pm ET
Data Published in the journal Molecular Therapy
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INGN - News) announced today the publication of data in Molecular Therapy, the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy, highlighting the results of a preclinical study with INGN 241 in combination with Avastin® (Bevacizumab). Synergistic activity resulting in a curative therapeutic effect was seen in the treatment of lung cancer following the combination of the two agents.
In contrast, treatment with Avastin alone demonstrated only minor tumor regression and no animals were cured of their cancer.
The study was conducted at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center by Introgen's collaborator Dr. Rajagopal Ramesh, associate professor, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
"The outcome of this study is encouraging and for the first time we are able to show that lung tumors treated with a combination of INGN 241 plus Avastin produced complete inhibitory activity," said Dr. Ramesh.
The study shows that the combination of INGN 241 and Avastin is very effective and blocks tumor angiogenesis -- the formation of new blood vessels within a tumor -- that is essential to support tumor growth beyond a minimum size. The results indicate that tumors completely regressed within the first four weeks of treatment and that no additional growth was observed after cessation of therapy.
INGN 241 is a tumor suppressor that has been shown to have potent anti-angiogenic activity and works by inhibiting the production of a key blood vessel growth protein termed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Avastin is a therapeutic antibody designed to inhibit angiogenesis via a different mechanism by binding to and inhibiting the activity of VEGF. Although inhibiting VEGF activity with Avastin reduces tumor angiogenesis and growth, it does not eradicate tumors. The reported study has proven that the combination of INGN 241 and Avastin results in complete tumor inhibition and regression.
Dr. Sunil Chada, PhD., Introgen's associate vice president of Research and Clinical Development, said, "INGN 241 functions to block angiogenesis by inhibiting production of VEGF -- a critical protein in tumor angiogenesis. In contrast, Avastin blocks binding of VEGF to its receptor. Thus combining these two agents with distinct but complementary anti-angiogenic mechanisms provides synergistic anti-tumor effects and completely eradicates tumors resulting in dramatic cures and improvement in survival."
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