Antisoma starts phase I clinical trial of AS1409 in renal cancer and melanoma

This drug, which has just entered Phase I testing, is very interesting because it combines IL-12, which has shown both activity and significant toxicity, with a targeting antibody. Hopefully, this targeting antibody will minimize the toxicity of IL-12 on or in normal tissues.

Antisoma's AS 1409 has just entered a clinical phase I trial for patients with advanced melanoma and renal cancer. While efficacy results are years ago, this "immunotherapy" will be competing with many approved targeted agents in renal cancer ( Sutent, Nexavar, Torisel) and with many other immunotherapeutic approaches ( hidose IL-2, Dendritic cell vaccines, Genasense) in melanoma.

Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) today announces the entry of AS1409 into clinical trials. A phase I trial has started in patients with renal cancer and melanoma. The trial has two parts. In the first, successive cohorts of patients will receive increasing doses of AS1409. This will continue until a maximum tolerated dose is identified. The second part of the trial will...