* SUGEN was named once, SU5416 was mentioned repeatedly.
* Large tumor on a mouse being treated with chemo was shown next to a SU5416 treated mouse with no tumor remaining.
* Balanced presentation, approx 80% positive (drug helped some but not all patients. Cautious optimism expressed by Dr. Rosen at end of presentation.)
* Followed 4 patients. Range of ages and types of cancer. Of these, 2 lived and 2 died.(1 tumor stopped growing, 1 tumor shrunk, 1 who died (brain cancer) was probably too late to help, and 1 intially responded dramatically, then after about 1 year had a relapse)
* ALL (except 2?)patients were late stage, terminal patients who had failed all other treatments and were given only weeks to months to live at start of trial.
*Total of 63 Phase I patients, of these, 17 had tumors shrink or stabilize, 13 patients were removed from the trial (tumors continued to grow), 4 withdrew, 25 died. (Remember these were TERMINAL patients.)Doctors considered the trial a success because all would have died without treatment.
*trial initially started at low dosage,then gradually increased.
*NCI funding the next phase on newly diagnosed patients.
* Trial was stopped at one point because 2 patients died due to blood clots. Investigation concluded that these deaths were likely NOT due to the drug. Little if any side effects noted.
* One of the patients who died had about 1 week to live at beginning of trial (It sounded to me like he had KS). He lived for many months, his leg sores cleared totally and lver improved significantly. Then sudden return of the liver problems.
Looks like a good $$$$$ week for SUGN!!!! :) |
