PC-SPES Studies Promising, But Manufacturer Shuts Down

Researchers at the ASCO Annual Meeting reported promising early-stage trials of investigational anticancer agents. The EGFR antibody ABX-EGF showed activity in renal cell cancer, with 89% of patients developing a characteristic rash, indicating drug activity. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib demonstrated clinical benefits in about 75% of multiple myeloma patients, with 33 of 70 patients showing at least a 25% reduction in myeloma protein. The study included over 200 patients, and the results led to plans for Phase III trials. Additionally, the thrombospondin-mimetic peptide ABT-510 was well tolerated in a 16-patient study, achieving stable disease in some cases. Bortezomib received FDA fast-track status, highlighting its potential to address unmet medical needs.