All GLG News Analyses Filed Under: Oncology

Yes, Smaller Populations for Targeted drugs, but Pharma/Biotech AND Patients Win

October 28, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Targeting EGFR in Colorectal Cancer | content.nejm.org

While targeting a drug to the right patients may in fact the decrease the size of the patient population for that drug, but several factors may actually result in benefit not only for patients, but for biotech/pharma companies, insurance companies and society.   When a drug is given to a patient must likely to benefit, the patient obviously has a higher chance of doing better, and this staying on the drug for a longer duration.   Contrast this to a patient who has a very low likelihood of benefiting from a drug, but recieves the drug and quickly progresses.  In this second example, not only does the patient stay on the drug a very limited time, but this "bad outcome" from the drug, may negatively influence the physician's perception of the efficacy of that drug.   Testing for KRAS and eliminating those patients least likely to benefit is probably a good strategy. 

Donald FlemingDivision Head of Hematology and OncologyDAVIS HEALTH SYSTEM INC

Vaccine for prostate cancer fails

October 28, 2008

Analysis of:Cell Genesys Announces Termination of VITAL-1 Phase 3 Trial of GVAX Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer | pharmalive.com

Recent Cell Genesys vaccine trial for prostate cancer fails The trial not only shows lack of efficacy, but possible harm from the vaccine arm of the trial

Nexavar - Vitamin "N" for Solid Tumors???

October 27, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Phase II Trial of Sorafenib in Advanced Thyroid Cancer | jco.ascopubs.org

Two Phase II trials show meanigful prolonged pFS in patients with iodine-refractory thyroid cancer who are treated with Sorafenib ( bayer/Onyx) The benefit needs to be confirmed in larger trials and need also to establish a favorable safety profile. Studies are needed for combination with other targeted agents like Avastin ( Genentech) or Torisel ( Wyeth) After efficacy in advanced renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, Nexavar may be on its way to be the Vitamin " N" for solid tumors as Rituximab is Vitamin R for hematological malignancies.

Immunotherapy for cancer, still have ways to go

October 27, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Cell Genesys Announces Termination of VITAL-1 Phase 3 Trial of GVAX Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer | pharmalive.com

Genesys terminated its studies of its cancer Vaccine for patients with refractory prostate cancer.  Cancer vaccine therapy remains limted to modest advantages in minimal residual diseases and in limted cases of melanoma and NHL

Genomics and protemics will be future determinants of "individualized " cancer therapy

October 27, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Genetic Research May Help Pick Patients' Best Cancer Drugs | online.wsj.com

Genetic testing is the wave of the future to define targets for cancer therapy. EGFR, K-Ras and FLT-3 testing is just the beginning and affects the use of drugs such as Tarceva ( OSI-Genentech), Erbitux ( Imclone) , Veibitix ( Amgen) and Lasteurinib ( cephalon). The ultimate goal is to use more sophisticated tests such as genomics and proteomics to design drugs taht not only produce maximum rfficacy , but also least toxicity.

K-ras testing will be a reality soon, Bad news for EGFR inhibitors, but good news for Avastin

October 27, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Targeting EGFR in Colorectal Cancer | content.nejm.org

K-Ras mutaions analysis in colorectal cancer may become a pre-requiste for use of anti-EGFR antibodies in therapy Erbitux and Vecitibix use may be relegated to less number of cases. This will benefit Avastin ( Genentech) whose mechanism of action is independent of these mutations

Donald FlemingDivision Head of Hematology and OncologyDAVIS HEALTH SYSTEM INC

Hitting the target may reduce the use of targeted cancer drugs or not

October 27, 2008

Analysis of:Targeting EGFR in Colorectal Cancer | content.nejm.org

We are facing an ever increasing expense of treating cancver The so called targeted drugs are the big price items The recent discovery of theses drugs have sometimes been out of order with understanding their activity

A target may well decrease the market for EGFR inhibitors (Erbitux & Vectibix) in colon cancer (CRC)

October 24, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Targeting EGFR in Colorectal Cancer | content.nejm.org

Measuring mutated K-RAS will show who will NOT respond to ImClone's Erbitux or Amgen's Vectibix. Thus to use either in CRC will not be particularly effective.

Donald FlemingDivision Head of Hematology and OncologyDAVIS HEALTH SYSTEM INC

The vaccine approach to cancer has yet to succeed

October 24, 2008

Analysis of:Cell Genesys Announces Termination of VITAL-1 Phase 3 Trial of GVAX Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer | pharmalive.com

Be cautious of vaccine approaches to cancer No cancer has had success with the use of vaccine therapy We are far from figuring out the reason for failure of vaccines to treat cancer

GVAX: Why did it fail? Let me list the possible ways......

October 21, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Cell Genesys Announces Termination of VITAL-1 Phase 3 Trial of GVAX Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer | pharmalive.com

Cell Genesys is basically stopping work on GVAX inview of failure in two trials. The cause of the failure is not readily apparent.

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