GLG News by Oncologists Specializing in Hematologic Malignancies in the U.S.

Tarceva ( OSI/Genentech) did not aadd to the already modest efficacy of Avastin in patients with metastatic RCC With better efficacy data of trageted oral agents such as Soferenib, Torisel, and Sutent it is unlikely taht more targeted agents will be approved for this disease anytime soon. It is time...

In this EU study tahlidomide ( Pharmion) had dramatic survival adavantage when added to Melphalan and prednisone in multiple myeloma patients who could not have SCT. Thalidomide has several side effects, but is definitely an appropriate treatment for this patient popualtion where Velcade  ( IV...

Establishment of an effective universal cancer vaccine has been an elusive traget since efficacy has been proven only in melanoma and Non-hodgkin's lymphoma. Peregrine Phramceuticals presented pre-clinical data that a fusion protein combining IL-2 with a novel antbody was effective in stimulating strong...

Tapestry initiated a phase II trial of its targeted agent TPI 287 for treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic acncer refractory to Gemcitibine. The trial plans to enroll 65 patients with primary end point of overall survival at 6 months: relatively large number with good endpoint.

OSI collaborated with OSI to allow it access to its technology for new drug discovery/screening in pre-clinical animal models. Aveo will get a large sum of cash while OSI benefit is many years in the futures. For now, Aveo is the big winner.

Nuvelo's NU206is a recombinant secreted protein taht have shown pre-clinical activity in promoting GI cells regeneration by regulating the Wnt pathway. Potential uses would be as a gastrointestinal protectant from effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy in cancer patients , but have to await clinical...

Genmab amended its study of monclonal antibody Ofatumumab in patients with Rituximab-refractory follicular NHL to decrease sample size by half. Omiiting the lower dose may help prove if the study drug is efficacious quicker. However, if the higher dose is associated with increased toxicity, expansion...

GSK's Cervarix will be launched in EU countries as a vaccine against HPV. Both cervarix and Gardasil provide similar efficacy against 2 common HPV strains that cause 70 % cases of cervical cancer. However Gardasil, provides immunity against 2 additional strians that cause genital warts and abnormal...

Pemetrexed, in combination with Cisplatin, represents an effective first line therapy for patients with NSCLC.  However, there is little to distinguish the activity of this regimen from that of other commonly used doublets and its major advantage may result from a more favorable toxicity profile. ...

Alemtuzumab has received FDA approval for use in patients with previously untreated CLL.  This approval is based on a comparison with Chlorambucil, an agent not commonly used for first line treatment in the United States.  The toxicity profile of CAMPATH and the availability of other agents,...