TGen researcher also involved in promising drug to treat lung
cancer
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Aug. 7, 2009 - Dr. Glen Weiss of the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare this
week announced two significant advances in treating lung cancer at
an international cancer research conference.
Dr. Weiss, M.D., an Associate Investigator in TGen's Cancer and
Cell Biology Division and Director of Thoracic Oncology at TGen
Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, made both
announcements at the 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer in San
Francisco.
In one presentation, Dr. Weiss described research that eventually
could help prevent lung cancer from spreading to the brain. In
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), brain metastasis is a
devastating complication that occurs in as many as 1 in 4 patients.
The ability to identify those at risk for developing brain
metastasis may guide new therapies.
A team led by Dr. Weiss found several microRNAs, which are
single-stranded RNA molecules that regulate how genes control
cellular development - as well as several high-tech imaging
characteristics - all associated with the spread of lung cancer to
the brain.
The biological significance of these microRNAs are being explored,
and more studies are warranted, according to the team, which was
funded by the Ibis Foundation of Arizona, the TGen Foundation and
the Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation.
"With additional validation, this work can lead to better
techniques to predict, treat and ultimately prevent brain
metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer," Dr. Weiss
said. "Identifying the highest-risk population for brain
metastasis, so that informed therapeutic trials can be undertaken,
could enable a paradigmatic shift in treating these
patients."
The study team included researchers from: TGen; the Virginia G.
Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare's Scottsdale Clinical
Research Institute; Scottsdale Medical Imaging LTD; and the School
of Computing, Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering at
Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton School of
Engineering.
In another presentation, Dr. Weiss discussed the release this week
by Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer
Center at Scottsdale Healthcare of results from two Phase I
clinical trials for a drug called TH-302.
The two clinical trials are both evaluating the safety and
effectiveness of TH-302, a drug activated in the absence of oxygen.
Both clinical trials involve patients with advanced solid tumors.
In one, they are treated with TH-302 in combination with other
chemotherapy agents. In the other, they are treated only with
TH-302, which is produced by Threshold Pharmaceuticals of Redwood
City, Calif.
In the study of those treated only with TH-302, six of eight, or 75
percent, of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) "achieved
stable disease or better." In the study of those treated with
TH-302 in combination with other chemotherapy agents, eight of 12,
or 67 percent, of patients with NSCLC "achieved stable disease or
better," according to a release by Threshold and Scottsdale
Healthcare. More details about the trials are available at
www.shc.org/content.asp?lnavid=39.
"TH-302 is a new, novel, small molecule that is activated when
cells are under conditions that lack oxygen, which is a metabolic
condition characteristic of cancer cells," Dr. Weiss said. "We are
excited to continue investigations with TH-302 and about the
potential benefit that it might confer to people living with lung
cancer."
*
About the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare offers
diagnosis, treatment, research and support in its facilities at the
Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center, attracting patients from
across Arizona and the U.S. Groundbreaking cancer research is
conducted through its Scottsdale Clinical Research Institute and
TGen Clinical Research Service. It is a primary clinical research
site for the Translational Genomics Research Institute and the
Stand Up To Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Research Dream Team.
Scottsdale Healthcare is the not-for-profit parent organization of
the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale
Healthcare Osborn Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson
Peak Hospital, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale Clinical
Research Institute and Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. For
additional information, please visit www.shc.org.
Press Contact:
Keith Jones, Director of Public Relations
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
480-882-4412
[email protected]
*
About Threshold Pharmaceuticals
Threshold is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and
development of drugs targeting Tumor Hypoxia, the low oxygen
condition found in microenvironments of most solid tumors. This
approach offers broad potential to treat most solid tumors. By
selectively targeting tumor cells, we are building a pipeline of
drugs that hold promise to be more effective and less toxic to
healthy tissues than conventional anticancer drugs. For additional
information, please visit www.thresholdpharm.com.
Press Contact:
Denise T. Powell, Senior Director of Corporate Communications
Threshold Pharmaceuticals
650-474-8206
[email protected]
*
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, please visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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