Metastatic melanoma: Involvement of immune system in response to PV-10 therapy

Mar 15 2010

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB: PVCT), a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Dr. Sanjiv Agarwala, in his presentation at the Seventh International Symposium on Melanoma and Other Cutaneous Malignancies on March 12, 2010, commented on the involvement of the immune system in response to PV-10 therapy and its role in the “bystander effect” in treating metastatic melanoma. Dr. Agarwala’s presentation, entitled “Chemoablation in Melanoma: An Update,” was given in the session entitled “Unique Approaches to Melanoma Therapy.”

“I look forward to seeing the results of this research so we can fully understand the potential PV-10 may have in treating not only melanoma, but also other indications in oncology.”

Dr. Agarwala, Chief, Medical Oncology and Hematology at St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, PA, and Principal Investigator for Provectus’s Phase 2 PV-10 trial site at St. Luke’s, noted, “PV-10 is of particular interest to me as an oncologist because it appears to recruit immune cells to the ablation site, leading to the potential of a systemic benefit. Efficacy data from Phase 1 and from the current Phase 2 study demonstrate a close correlation between objective response in treated lesions and response in uninjected lesions. Survival data from both studies further support a conclusion that patients that respond well to PV-10 respond well overall.”

Dr. Agarwala also discussed plans to conduct research into PV-10’s immunologic mechanism of action. He said, “I look forward to seeing the results of this research so we can fully understand the potential PV-10 may have in treating not only melanoma, but also other indications in oncology.”

Craig Dees, PhD, CEO of Provectus said, “We are encouraged by Dr. Agarwala’s remarks at a time when the medical community has begun to recognize the fundamental importance of immunology in the ongoing fight against cancer. Having completed final follow-up on the first 60 patients enrolled in our Phase 2 study, we look forward to presenting the survival and progression free survival data from at least 40 subjects in June. Further, with our Type B meeting to chart the path to licensure on the FDA schedule, we look forward to reporting on the outcome of that meeting shortly after it occurs.”