DNA sequencing exposes new uses for Pfizer targeted cancer drugs

Posted under Blog, Companies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Diagnostics, Dna Sequencing, Foundation Medicine, Funding, Medical Devices, Medical Supply, personalized medicine, Pfizer, Pharmaceuticals, Startups, Sutent, Universities, Videos, Xalkori by Ryan McBride

As pharma companies expand their use of DNA sequencing for drug R&D, researchers have uncovered some potential new targets for existing cancer drugs that are likely to spur further use of sequencing in the biopharma world. And their study has shed light on potential new uses for at least two of drug giant Pfizer's ($PFE) targeted cancer drugs.

With a cancer gene test from life sciences startup Foundation Medicine, the researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and elsewhere found that 59% of lung and colorectal cancer samples tested included genetic abnormalities that could be combated with targeted cancer drugs. A subset of lung cancer samples showed that the patients had mutations that could be targeted with Pfizer's approved kidney cancer drug Sutent, and one patient's colorectal cancer was found to have gene abnormality targeted by Pfizer's Xalkori.

The previously unknown genetic flaw in lung cancer was seen in about 2% of patient samples, but Dana-Farber lung cancer specialist Dr. Pasi Janne says that is enough to warrant further study of the Sutent in certain lung cancer patients, he told Bloomberg. Pfizer is taking an interest in the findings too, which shouldn't come as a surprise. Drugmakers and regulators have shown a willingness to move forward with drugs for small pools of patients if the drugs can deliver major benefits for those patients. With genetic tests like Foundation's catching on among drug developers, there's sure to be other new targets unearthed to propel further development of personalized cancer medicines.

"It is moving closer and closer to real personalized medicine," Janne, a co-author of the study told Bloomberg. "It is fantastic as we can tailor our therapy to the particular genetics of a patient's cancer."

- here's the release
- check out Bloomberg's article

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AB soars on promising survival data from Phase II tumor study

Posted under AB Science, Blog, Companies, Diagnostics, Funding, GIST, Gleevec, Medical Devices, Medical Supply, Pharmaceuticals, Startups, Sutent, Universities, Videos by John Carroll

Shares of Paris-based AB Science shot up yesterday after the drug developer reported strong efficacy results from a midstage study of its experimental drug for gastrointestinal tumors. The treatment, masitinib, not only outperformed Sutent, it also appeared to be better tolerated.

Investigators in the trial divvied up 44 Gleevec-resistant, advanced-stage patients in the study between the experimental drug arm and a Sutent group. "After 18 months, 79% of patients treated with masitinib were still alive," AB reports, "versus 20% for patients treated with Sutent. After 2 years, 53% of patients treated with masitinib were still alive," versus none of the patients in the Sutent arm.

That news triggered a 46% spike in AB's share price.

Longer life in the study was also tied to fewer side effects. Nausea, diarrhea and asthenia were the most common related adverse events. For most biotechs, this kind of proof-of-concept data would inspire a licensing pact. But AB's CEO insists that the French biotech can get through the clinic alone.

"At this time we don't need a partner," CEO Alain Moussy tells Bloomberg. "We've been able to execute a large clinical program by ourselves. It's tough, but we are doing it." He declined to comment on any current or future talks with potential marketing partners.

"Masitinib differs from Sutent by its selectivity profile," says Dr. Olivier Hermine, who heads AB's scientific committee. "Unlike Sutent, which targets a broad spectrum of protein kinases, masitinib is very selective, which brings better tolerability. Furthermore, in addition to killing cells that make up the tumors, masitinib has a complementary mode of action that may also kill cancer stem cells and trigger an immune response, which may further enhance its efficacy. These promising results in second line treatment of GIST, which correlate with the encouraging results previously reported in the first line treatment of GIST, tend to confirm that masitinib has an original mechanism of action that may translate into improved survival."

- read the press release
- here's the report from Bloomberg

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Sources: AB Science readies $70M IPO