Cancer Drug VelcadeTM Holds Promise for a Novel Treatment of Mantle Cell Lymphoma
June 20, 2003 (Press Releases) -
New Research, Funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Finds Velcade Causes Natural Cell Death of Lymphocytes by Inhibiting a Key Growth Signaling Pathway
WHITE PLAINS, NY - New research funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society found that Millennium Pharmaceutical's cancer drug, Velcade (bortezomib), recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of multiple myeloma, blocks growth and kills mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells in the laboratory setting. The research, published in the July 1 issue of the Journal of Immunology, offers hope to patients of this often-fatal form of lymphoma.
"Our research found that Velcade destroys mantle cell lymphocytes by blocking a key factor responsible for regulating cellular growth," says the study's lead investigator, Richard J. Ford, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston. "The findings bring hope to patients with this form of lymphoma, which is very difficult to treat."
Using MCL cells obtained from biopsies and related MCL cell lines, the researchers examined the effect of Velcade on the NF-Kappa-B growth signal pathway, a key activator of lymphocyte growth. They found that Velcade inhibited this pathway, triggering the natural cell death of the lymphoma cells, a process called apoptosis.
The findings may have implications for the treatment of other cancers as well. "The study found that Velcade works on the fundamental regulators of cell growth, which means that, in addition to blood cancers, the drug has potential to treat cancers of the breast, colon and prostate," says Alan Kinniburgh, Ph.D., Vice President of Research Administration, the Society.
Preliminary results from a separate, phase II study of Velcade unaffiliated with the Society and announced at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, IL on June 2, 2003, offer further hope. Of 11 patients with MCL treated with Velcade, three had complete responses, four had partial responses (including two with major partial responses), and two experienced stable disease. This study was led by Dr. Andre Goy, M.D., of M.D. Anderson.
Dr. Ford is a recipient of the Society's Translational Research Grant. "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma," says Dr. Kinniburgh, "and we are aggressively pursuing cures by funding leading-edge researchers like Dr. Ford."
"We are really making progress," adds Dr. Ford, "and the support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has greatly helped us."
About the Translational Research Program
The Society is the leading sponsor of blood cancer research, driven by its mission to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has provided more than $358 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers, including more than $110 million from 2001 to 2003.
The Society established the Translational Research Program to encourage and support novel clinical research. The program's goal is to accelerate the transfer of findings from the laboratory to clinical application. The program funds research that shows strong promise for translating basic biomedical knowledge to prevention or new treatments that will ultimately prolong and enhance patients' lives.
The Society funds two other major research programs. The Career Development Program provides stipends to investigators in early stages of their careers, allowing them to devote their time to blood cancer research. The Specialized Center of Research Program (SCOR) encourages multidisciplinary research through the collaboration of at least three research programs.
About Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Lymphomas are cancers that originate in a lymphocyte, a cell found principally in lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissue sites such as the skin, spleen and the wall of the intestines. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a type of lymphoma that arises from malignant B lymphocytes in the portion of lymph nodes called the "mantle zone." As the disease progresses, lymphocytes obliterate the "mantle zone" areas, and the lymph node loses these boundaries. As a result, lymphocytes spread diffusely through the node. MCL cells tend to grow more quickly than other lymphomas, frequently expand in the bone marrow and are not as responsive to chemotherapy.
MCL occurs about twice as often in men than women, with a median age of 58 years at diagnosis. MCL comprises about 3 percent of lymphomas in the United States, or approximately 1,500 new cases per year.
About the Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
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