First Patient Enrolled in Phase II Cancer Trial
YONKERS, N.Y., October 3 /CNW/ - A new Phase II open label study at
McGill University will explore the effect of an investigational drug on
patients with recurrent or advanced cancer. Researchers indicate the treatment
may help patients who suffer from severe appetite loss, fatigue and weight
loss when undergoing aggressive cancer therapy.
Advanced Viral Research Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: ADVR), a research
based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to anti-cancer drug discovery and
development, today announced the enrollment of the first patient into the
Phase II clinical trial.
The trial is being conducted at McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in
Montreal, Quebec. Dr. Martin Chasen, a medical oncologist / palliative care
physician and Clinical Director of the McGill Cancer Nutrition and
Rehabilitation Program at McGill University, is the Principal Investigator.
The Phase II open label study will examine the effect of a 4.0 mL
subcutaneous dose of AVR118 on weight, appetite, performance status, and other
measures of quality of life in patients with recurrent or advanced
malignancies. AVR118 will be administered daily for a trial period of 28 days.
Patients who appear to benefit from the trial period dosing will be eligible
to continue on AVR118, generating longer term efficacy data.
According to Dr. Chasen, "AVR118 may offer a new treatment paradigm in
palliative care. Early identification and treatment of patients will hopefully
enable us to reduce the severely debilitating effects of cachexia and
chemotherapy."
Enrollment initially will include 14 patients between the ages of 18 and
85 who have recurrent or advanced malignancies and are suffering from symptoms
of cachexia, including muscle wasting, severe fatigue and loss of appetite.
Pending review of preliminary data, there is a provision to increase
enrollment to 30 patients.
"We are excited to have our first patient enrolled at McGill and hope to
improve the quality of life for all patients in this trial. Our company
remains committed to contributing to cancer symptom control and advancing
palliative care research," said Stephen M. Elliston, President and Chief
Executive Officer of ADVR. |
