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- Posted Monday June 13, 2011
Arizona Oncology participates in first randomized phase 2 clinical trial for chondrosarcoma
IPI-926 investigated by TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare as a
potential treatment for rare and uniformly fatal cancer of the
cartilage
PHOENIX, Ariz. - June 13, 2011 - Arizona Oncology, in cooperation
with Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials in Scottsdale,
Ariz., is enrolling patients in a randomized, double-blind Phase 2
clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IPI-926
compared to placebo in patients with metastatic or locally
advanced, inoperable chondrosarcoma.
The study is being coordinated by Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
Clinical Trials in Scottsdale, Ariz., a partnership with the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale
Healthcare that treats cancer patients with promising new drugs
through clinical trials.
IPI-926, an inhibitor of the Hedgehog pathway, was discovered and
is being developed by Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc., a
biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Mass.
Research suggests the Hedgehog signaling pathway, a series of
chemical reactions within a cell, may play a role in the
development of different types of cancer, including chondrosarcoma,
a rare, life-threatening cancer of the cartilage.
The trial, which is the first of its kind to be done in
chondrosarcoma, is expected to enroll more than 100 patients.
There are currently no approved chemotherapy options for this
disease and, when surgery is not possible, chondrosarcoma is
uniformly fatal. In nonclinical studies presented at the American
Association for Cancer Research 2011 Annual Meeting, IPI-926
treatment inhibited both the Hedgehog pathway and tumor growth in
mice with chondrosarcoma.
In the U.S., chondrosarcoma accounts for approximately one-third
of the 2,000 cases of primary bone cancer diagnosed each year. The
most common locations for chondrosarcoma tumors are the bones of
the extremities and the pelvis. Symptoms associated with
chondrosarcoma depend upon the size and location of the tumor and
often include pain that increases in severity over time, localized
swelling and decreased range of motion in joints near the affected
bone.
As chondrosarcomas are largely resistant to chemotherapy and
radiotherapy, the standard therapeutic strategy is surgery. For
patients with metastatic disease or with locally advanced tumors
who are not candidates for surgery, no treatment has been shown to
be effective and there is no established standard of care.
"We are encouraged by the Phase 1 trial of IPI-926. In the Phase 1
trial, IPI-926 was well tolerated and showed anti-tumor activity in
patients with solid tumors," said Mahesh Seetharam, M.D., medical
oncologist, Arizona Oncology. "We are pleased to be part of this
study, as well as other clinical trials that give new hope for rare
cancers. Patients who participate in these trials are followed very
carefully and may benefit, especially when no other treatment
options are available."
Dr. Seetharam provides comprehensive cancer care as part of the
Arizona Oncology network, which treats more cancer patients than
any other cancer care provider in the state of Arizona. Dr.
Seetharam also works closely with Virginia G. Piper Cancer Clinical
Trials and has access to more than 30 Phase 1 investigational
agents through the partnership between TGen and Scottsdale
Healthcare.
Arizona Oncology is affiliated with US Oncology, giving patients
access to brand new treatments and state-of-the-art technology. In
addition, patients have access to the latest research and clinical
trials through both the Arizona Oncology and US Oncology
networks.
Individuals seeking information about eligibility to participate
in clinical trials at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at
Scottsdale Healthcare may contact the cancer care coordinator at
480-323-1339, toll free at 1-877-273-3713 or via email at
[email protected] or visit clinicaltrials.gov.
# # #
About Arizona Oncology
Arizona Oncology is the largest group of medical professionals in
Arizona devoted exclusively to cancer care. With more than 50
practicing physicians, we serve patients at more than 24 locations
throughout Arizona, including Cottonwood, Deer Valley, Flagstaff,
Glendale, Green Valley, Marana, Nogales, Oro Valley, Phoenix,
Prescott Valley, Safford, Scottsdale, Sedona, Sierra Vista and
Tucson. We are proud to provide comprehensive, compassionate,
cancer care in a patient-focused, cost effective, community-based
setting. Arizona Oncology provides patients with access to the
latest treatments, state-of-the-art technology and access to
cutting edge nationwide research and clinical trials. We believe it
is beneficial when these therapies are provided in a community
setting, close to patients' home and your support system. Our
physicians are supported by talented clinical staff members who are
sensitive to the needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. For
more information, please visit www.ArizonaOncology.com.
About The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare in
Scottsdale, Ariz. offers comprehensive cancer care and research
through Phase I clinical trials, diagnosis, treatment, prevention
and support services in collaboration with leading scientific
researchers and community oncologists. Scottsdale Healthcare is the
nonprofit parent organization of the Virginia G. Piper Cancer
Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Research
Institute, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale
Healthcare Shea Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson
Peak Hospital. For more information, visit www.shc.org.
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
