Summary
In addition to dimishing quality of life, Chemotherpy-Induced Diarrhea (CID) can reduce our ability to administer full doses of potentially effective tretaments, and can occasionally lead to life-threatening complications. AGI-004 was studied in the form of a skin patch, and when compared to placebo, diminished frequency and intensity of CID.
Analysis
CID is not commonly severe, and it is not always difficult to control with current therpaies. But when CID is toxic, then we certainly need all the help we can get.
In general, we are seeing CID with select drugs, including 5FU, Irinotecan, Xeloda, and also the moleculary targeted EGFR inhibitors Tarceva, Iressa, Erbitux, and Vectibix.
We should note that this was a randomized Phase II "exploratory" study comparing placebo with two dose levels of AGI-004, suggesting that the higher dose of AGI-004 was more effective. Of course, we will await more advanced-phase studies of this drug from AGI Therapeutics (AIM, IEX: AGI).
While I doubt that there will be a massive need for something like transdermal AGI-004, if it continues to perform well, then it should at least be added to the arsenal of other successful 'supportive care' therapies such as anti-nausea meds and blood-growth factors.
