Speaking of being observant....
You've been doing a lot of boohooing about Targretin causeing Regression of Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Tumors in mice. What good is it, if it only being tested in rats, right?
Wrong! You want to know why?
Here's why:
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"Ligand is conducting three pivotal trials for the treatment of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, including one Phase III trial with Targretin gel (bexarotene) 1.0% and two Phase II/III trials with Targretin capsules. Phase II/III trials are being conducted with Targretin capsules in patients with advanced lung cancer, and Phase IIb studies are in progress in patients with ovarian, head and neck cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma. Targretin gel is also being tested in a Phase II trial for the treatment of patients with actinic keratoses."
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In other words, Targretin has already had positive clinical results from Targretin in humans. This is what I think that Wall Street is missing. A lot of new drugs pass the "mice" test, and then fail the human test. But, in Targretin's case, it is also being tested in humans, but not for the same cancer:
"An interim assessment of the Phase I/II study for Targretin Gel in CTCL in March 1997 demonstrated that 43% (18 of 42) of patients showed a 50% or greater improvement in this disease."
"Findings for advanced stage CTCL patients only, who received higher dose Targretin Capsules showed a 43% (9 of 21) response."
"Targretin Capsules are also in advanced clinical studies in a variety of other cancers".
So, what do we have here? Ligand is preparing NDA's for small population diseases, where there is no available, effective treatment, so that they can try for "fast track" approval by the FDA. In the mean time they have geared up clinical trials for other diseases. Very nice, no?
So, even though Targretin works on breast cancer in mice only, at this time, it's credibility, that it might also work in humans, is enhanced by successes in human clinical trials for other cancers.
"The presentation included new data based on preclinical animal models that show the efficacy of Targretin in causing complete regression of breast cancer tumors that are resistant to the drug tamoxifen."
Yes, I am emotional involved with this stock!
Regards, Bob |
