Dendreon Announces Publication of Phase II Results of Provenge Prostate Cancer Vaccine in Journal of Clinical Oncology.Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers SEATTLE--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 30, 2000 Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq:DNDN) today announced the publication of study results in the Dec. 1 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology The Journal of Clinical Oncology is a medical journal published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The Journal was founded in 1983 and publishes original research and review articles on topics relating to cancer. It is published 3 times a month. . The study, authored by researchers at the University of San Francisco • • [ , California (UCSF UCSF University of California at San Francisco ) and Dendreon Corporation, highlights findings from a Phase II clinical trial Noun 1. phase II clinical trial - a clinical trial on more persons than in phase I; intended to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment for the condition it is intended to treat; possible side effects are monitored phase II of Provenge(TM) -- Dendreon's vaccine treatment for prostate cancer prostate cancer, cancer originating in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in men. . The study, led by Dr. Eric Small, associate professor of medicine at UCSF, involved 31 patients with advanced prostate cancer. Results showed that Provenge was safe, well tolerated and stimulated an immune response immune response n. An integrated bodily response to an antigen, especially one mediated by lymphocytes and involving recognition of antigens by specific antibodies or previously sensitized lymphocytes. in all patients. Twenty men developed a strong immune response to the target antigen -- prostatic acid phosphatase Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) is an enzyme produced by the prostate. It may be found in increased amounts in men who have prostate cancer or other diseases. This is also the same enzyme that is found in significant amounts in female ejaculate. . The time to disease progression for these men was 34 weeks compared to 13 weeks for those with a weak response. Moreover, six patients experienced a significant decrease in levels of prostate specific antigen PSA (Prostate specific antigen) A tumor marker associated with prostate cancer. Mentioned in: Tumor Markers (PSA (Professional Services Automation) An information system designed to organize, track and manage all opportunities, work, resources, costs, revenues and invoices to improve the productivity and efficiency of the workforce. ). "We've been excited by these findings in patients who have advanced disease and who have exhausted all other treatment options," said Dr. Frank Valone, chief medical officer at Dendreon and an author of the publication. "This trial and other trials at the Mayo Clinic encouraged us to begin Phase III trials that are currently underway throughout the United States." Provenge is composed of an engineered antigen that is combined with a patient's own dendritic cells. It is designed to stimulate the immune system to mount an attack against cancer. Treatment with Provenge involves a blood collection process to isolate dendritic cells followed two days later by an infusion of dendritic cells activated with the target antigen. Patients with advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer are currently being recruited for Phase III studies of Provenge at multiple U.S. locations. To be eligible, patients must have prostate cancer that has progressed following treatment with hormone therapy. Patients must also be free of cancer-related pain. For more information on how to enroll, please call 800/500-7530. Dendreon Corporation (www.dendreon.com) is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel products for the treatment of cancer through its innovative manipulation of the immune system. Dendreon is focused on the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines through the use of antigen discovery, antigen engineering and dendritic cell technologies. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks related to Dendreon's limited operating history, risks associated with completing our clinical trials, dependence on the efforts of third parties, and our dependence on intellectual property. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Dendreon's business, financial condition and results of operations, are contained in Dendreon's SEC Reports, including Dendreon's Form 10-Q and Form S-1 Registration Statement, which are available at www.sec.gov. |
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