Oblimersen Shows Promising Results in Older Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
May 6, 2005 - 10:20:00 AM
|
|
|
In vitro studies have suggested that Genasense can down-regulate Bcl-2 activity and inhibit cell viability. Thus, the targeting of Bcl-2 was a potential strategy for treatment of leukemia.
|
By Cancer Consultants, Inc.,
[RxPG] Researchers from Ohio University, University of Chicago, the National Cancer Institute and Genta, Inc. have reported a promising phase I study of Genasense (oblimersen) in untreated older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The details of this study appeared as an advanced on-line publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on April 11, 2005.[1]
Bcl-2 is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis which is a cause of cell death. Over-expression of this protein in patients with leukemia is associated with resistance to chemotherapy.
The Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide, Genasense down-regulates Bcl-2 and has been investigated in several hematological malignances where Bcl-2 has been implicated in disease resistance. In vitro studies have suggested that Genasense can down-regulate Bcl-2 activity and inhibit cell viability. Thus, the targeting of Bcl-2 was a potential strategy for treatment of leukemia. These same researchers previously reported the results of treatment of patients with refractory AML with the combination of Fludara®, cytarabine, Genasense and Neupogen®.[2]
Seventeen patients in this study had relapsed or refractory AML and 3 had acute ALL, including 2 patients who had failed stem cell transplantation. Five patients with AML and one patient with ALL achieved a complete response. Three other patients had disappearance of blasts but did not achieve full hematological recovery. In two patients, the response persisted for over one year before recurrence. Responses were also seen in older patients. The researchers also reported that Bcl-2 mRNA levels were down-regulated in 75% of evaluable patients.
The current study included 29 patients who were 60 years of age or older with newly diagnosed AML. All received treatment with cytarabine, daunomycin and Genasense. Complete remissions occurred in 14 patients (48%). Seven of these 14 patients have relapsed. They suggested that the degree of down regulation of Bcl-2 correlated with response. These authors stated that CALGB would be performing a randomized trial in older patients with newly diagnosed AML to determine the contribution of Genasense.
Comments: Its impossible to tell from this study whether or not Genasense contributed to outcome and the randomized trial will be of great interest.
Publication:
The details of this study appeared as an advanced on-line publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on April 11, 2005.
On the web:
www.cancerconsultants.com 
|
Advertise in this space for $10 per month.
Contact us today.
|
 |
|
Subscribe to Blood Newsletter
|
|
|
|
Additional information about the news article
|
References:
[1] Marcucci G, Stock W, Dai G, et al. Phase I study of oblimersen sodium, an antisense to Bcl-2, in untreated older patients with acute myeloid leukemia: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2005;23: published ahead of print on April 22, 2005 as 10.1200/JCO.2005.09.118.
[2] Marcucci G, Byrd J, Dai G, et al. Phase 1 and pharmacodynamic studies of G3139, a Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide, in combination with chemotherapy in refractory or relapsed acute leukemia. Blood. 2003;101:425-432
About Cancer Consultants
Cancer Consultants was founded in 1998 by experts in the field of oncology in order to facilitate information transfer on the management of cancer to patients and health care providers. Because cancer is chronic, life threatening, associated with rapid technological advancements, and patients have time to evaluate their treatment options before making a decision, Cancer Consultants, Inc. recognized that the Internet would become the predominant tool for rapid transfer of information to both patients and physicians. It was also apparent to Cancer Consultants, Inc. that patients and physicians would need credible, accurate, timely access to information about novel cancer treatment strategies and products.
Today, Cancer Consultants is one of the few companies with a dedicated focus in the field of oncology, an experienced management team, and key strategic relationships within the oncology community. The company has emerged from the economic downturn with a year to year compounded annual growth rate of over 45% and is positioned as one of the key oncology platforms on the Internet. In order to better serve its customers, Cancer Consultants restructured into a holding company with four wholly owned subsidiary companies that are strategically positioned to serve the needs of its entire client base.
|
|
Feedback
|
For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send
any medical news or health news press releases, use
feedback form
|
Top of Page
|
