Results from Phase I trial of Bryan Oncor's targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy reported

Dec 21 2009

Bryan Oncor reports the results of a Phase I trial of its targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy using Re-88 P2045, a radiolabeled synthetic peptide, for the treatment of advanced lung cancer. The trial was conducted at the University of Maryland and the University of Iowa and published in the December issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

This novel approach to cancer treatment combines a synthetic peptide molecule, P2045, which targets over expressed somatostatin receptors (SSTR) on tumors, with a radioactive isotope, Re-188, which has been shown to destroy cancer cells.

The trial results demonstrate that Re-188 P2045 is well tolerated, and that targeting SSTRs using this approach is feasible. Martin Magram, MD, an author of the published paper, comments, "This targeted, personalized approach to therapy has the potential to treat a large unmet need in cancer treatment. Somatostatin receptors are expressed not only in lung cancer, but in several other types of tumors, as well."

This targeted approach can reduce the risk of toxicity to patients in two ways. First, it enables screening to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from the treatment. Second, because the radiolabeled peptide is bound to the SSTRs on the cancer cells, the dose is concentrated at the tumor site. While the Re-188 P2045 is retained at the tumor, it clears quickly from the blood, minimizing "off-target" systemic exposure.

All of the patients in the trial had advanced lung cancer and entered the study with progressive disease. Over half of the patients had stable disease at eight weeks with overall survival of more than 11 months.

"We're very encouraged by the results of the Phase I trial, and are planning further studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted RE-P2045 therapy," said Christopher Adams, co-founder of Bryan Oncor.