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Biotech / Medical : Abgenix, Inc. (ABGX) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Icebrg who wrote (189)	5/31/2003 3:07:05 PM
From: Icebrg	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 590

Interim Phase 2 Data Demonstrate Single-Agent Antitumor Activity with ABX-EGF in Advanced Colorectal Cancer Saturday May 31, 2:30 pm ET CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2003--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX - News) and Amgen, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMGN - News) today announced interim results from a phase 2 study of ABX-EGF, a fully human monoclonal antibody, demonstrating that ABX-EGF has antitumor activity when administered as a single-agent treatment to patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Results from an interim analysis of a multicenter study, presented at the 39th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), showed that a majority of patients with measurable metastatic colorectal cancer who over-expressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) experienced either partial antitumor responses or had stable disease. Results were presented (Abstract #1026) by Neal J. Meropol, MD, Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. "ABX-EGF was well tolerated and clearly showed single-agent antitumor activity in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer," said Dr. Meropol. "The fully human nature of ABX-EGF confers potential benefits with virtually no risk of allergic reactions. These results are certainly encouraging." In the planned analysis of this ongoing trial, 44 patients were evaluated by intent to treat and 40 patients were efficacy-evaluable following eight weeks of ABX-EGF treatment. Patients had measurable disease and were previously treated with 5FU (with or without leucovorin) and either irinotecan or oxaliplatin, or both. Patients received 2.5 mg/kg of ABX-EGF by intravenous infusion weekly for an eight-week treatment cycle for up to six cycles. At the end of the first eight-week cycle, four of the 40 efficacy-evaluable patients had partial responses and 22 patients had stable disease. All other patients had progressive disease. Study enrollment of 100 patients is underway and an additional cohort of 50 patients is being added. All 150 patients are expected to be accrued shortly. "As our knowledge of cancer continues to grow, we are able to develop targeted treatments for different tumor types. These ABX-EGF interim phase 2 data are encouraging," said Beth Seidenberg, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President for Amgen. "These data further extend our knowledge and understanding of the exciting potential of ABX-EGF," said Raymond M. Withy, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Abgenix. "ABX-EGF remains our lead product and we will be working with Amgen to move it forward and continue to resource it accordingly." In this study ABX-EGF was well tolerated, with mild to moderate skin rash and asthenia as the most common side effects. In those patients tested, no allergies, anaphylaxis or human antihuman antibodies (HAHAs) have been observed. About ABX-EGF ABX-EGF targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), which is over-expressed in a variety of cancers including lung, breast, pancreatic, bladder, prostate, colorectal, kidney and head and neck cancers. Research has demonstrated that cancer cells can become dependent on growth signals mediated through EGFr for their survival. In preclinical research, ABX-EGF monotherapy has been shown to inhibit the growth of human tumors in mice. Co-developed by Abgenix and Amgen, ABX-EGF is being evaluated in a comprehensive clinical program in several indications. Results of several clinical studies have demonstrated single-agent activity and a favorable pharmacokinetic and tolerability profile. [Good or bad? I believe a response rate of 65 % is pretty good. I doubt these drugs will be used as single agents. ABX-EGF appears to be able to at least hold back the tumor expansion in a majority of relapsed or refractory patients over an eight-week period. If used first-line in combination with chemo results may look very good. Erik]