GlobeImmune Announces Initiation of a Phase 2a Clinical Trial of GI-4000 in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering
| Source: GlobeImmune, Inc.
LOUISVILLE, CO--(Marketwire - March 19, 2008) - GlobeImmune, Inc. announced today the
initiation of a Phase 2a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center (MSKCC) to evaluate GlobeImmune's GI-4000 Tarmogen® for the
treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with tumors having
mutations in the ras gene.
Molecular profiling of NSCLC tumors
"NSCLC patients with tumors positive for mutated ras have a worse survival
compared to patients with other NSCLC types in the setting of traditional
therapy," said Dr. Christopher G. Azzoli, Principal Investigator for the
Phase 2a study at MSKCC. "Furthermore, these patients may not benefit from
treatment with selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Better treatments for
lung cancer with mutated ras are greatly needed. MSKCC has a research
program which treats NSCLC patients with adjuvant chemotherapy based on the
results of a panel of molecular tests, including EGFR mutation status,
ERCC1 expression levels, and Ras mutation status. We are excited to
explore the potential of GI-4000 to improve clinical outcomes in this
difficult to treat patient population."
About the GI-4000-03 clinical trial
GI-4000-03 is a an open-label consolidation therapy trial sponsored by
MSKCC to evaluate the GI-4000 Tarmogen (targeted molecular immunogen) in
subjects with non-small cell lung cancer treated with curative intent,
whose tumor is found to contain a mutation in the ras gene and who are
disease free at their first post-treatment re-staging assessment (1-4
months after completion of therapy). The GI-4000-03 trial is designed to
study safety, immune responses, and clinical benefit. Patients will
receive GI-4000 for up to 3 years with the goal of delaying disease
recurrence and prolonging survival.
About GI-4000
GI-4000 is a series of Tarmogens that are intended to generate an immune
response to cells containing the seven most common mutations in the ras
oncogene product. Mutations in ras are believed to be responsible for over
150,000 cases of cancer annually in the United States, including
significant proportions of pancreas, NSCLC, colorectal, ovarian and other
cancers. In a Phase 1 study of advanced pancreas and colorectal cancer
patients, GI-4000 was well-tolerated across the full range of doses tested.
Immune responses to GI-4000 were observed in the majority of these patients
despite the advanced stage of cancer studied in this trial. A
multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial of GI-4000 in
combination with gemcitabine in resected pancreas cancer patients is
ongoing.
About GlobeImmune, Inc.
GlobeImmune is a private Colorado-based company developing active
immunotherapies called Tarmogens for the treatment of cancer and infectious
diseases. The Company's lead oncology program, GI-4000, is designed to be
a treatment for cancers of the lung and gastrointestinal tract. A
randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial in patients with resectable
pancreas cancer in combination with adjuvant gemcitabine is ongoing. The
Company's lead infectious disease candidate, GI-5005, is a Tarmogen being
developed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. GI-5005 is
designed to complement both the current and emerging standard of care for
hepatitis C infection through the direct elimination of chronically
infected cells. A randomized Phase 2 study of GI-5005 in combination with
standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C infection is
currently ongoing.
For additional information, please visit the company's website at
www.globeimmune.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, including statements relating to initiation and progress
of the Company's clinical trial programs and potential advantages of the
Company's technology and product candidates. Actual results could differ
materially from those projected and the Company cautions readers not to
place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this
release.