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- Posted Wednesday December 9, 2009
TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare is world's first site to test new drug by major Italian firm
NMS-1286937 is designed to halt cancer cells from dividing
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Dec. 8, 2009 - TGen Clinical Research Services
at Scottsdale Healthcare (TCRS) is the world's first clinical
trials site for a new drug designed to halt cancer cell
division.
NMS-1286937 is produced by Nerviano Medical Sciences of Milan,
Italy's largest pharmaceutical research and development facility.
NMS-1286937 is designed to stop cancer from spreading by preventing
mitosis, the process of cell division.
"Cancer is driven by abnormal cell division and growth. Striking
cancer cells at a key mechanism for growth opens up new
possibilities, especially for lung and head and neck cancer
patients," said Dr. Glen J. Weiss, Director of Thoracic Oncology at
TCRS.
TCRS is a partnership between the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare that enables laboratory
discoveries to be quickly turned into targeted therapies that can
be tested with patients at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center in
Scottsdale.
This Phase 1 clinical trial of as many as 40 adults with solid
tumors will help determine if NMS-1286937 is safe and effective,
and should lead to further clinical assessment.
Dr. Daniel Von Hoff - TGen's Physician-In-Chief, Chief Scientific
Officer at TCRS and principal investigator for the trial -
described NMS-1286937 as a potent and selective polo-like kinase 1
inhibitor designed to stop cancer cells from dividing by targeting
the process of mitosis. High expression of polo-like kinase 1 is
present in a wide range of cancers, including lung, colorectal,
breast, pancreatic, head, neck, thyroid and ovarian cancer.
NMS-1286937 will be administered orally. Preclinical studies
demonstrated that NMS-1286937 is effective against even aggressive
cancers known to be resistant to the current standard of
care.
"We at Nerviano are excited about the prospects of this new drug
and are pleased to be partnering in this endeavor with TGen and
Scottsdale Healthcare,'' said Maria Adele Pacciarini, Clinical
Programme Director in Clinical Oncology at Nerviano Medical
Sciences.
For more information about clinical trials and eligibility, contact
TCRS's patient care coordinator Joyce Ingold, R.N., at
480-323-1339, toll free at 1-877-273-3713 or at
[email protected].
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About the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare offers
diagnosis, treatment, research, prevention 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. 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]
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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]
*
About Nerviano Medical Sciences
Nerviano Medical Sciences is the largest pharmaceutical research
and development facility in Italy, and one of the largest
oncology-focused, integrated discovery and development companies in
Europe. NMS was spun off from Pfizer in May 2004. Since then, NMS
Oncology has brought into clinical trials 3 first in class NCEs.
NMS Oncology has more than 20 targeted drugs in preclinical phase,
along with 5 innovative cancer drugs in Phase I and Phase II
clinical studies in cancer. In the last three years, NMS Oncology
has successfully generated 2 high quality anti-cancer clinical
candidates every year. For more information, please visit:
www.nervianoms.com/cont/en/home-page/0705/2500/home-page.asp.
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