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- Posted Thursday September 12, 2013
TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare Launch Phase I 'Thunder God vine' Trial for Cancer
First patient receives treatment at Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Sept. 12, 2013 - Taking a
page from Chinese herbal medicine, Scottsdale Healthcare and the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
today initiated the first-in-human clinical trial for pancreatic
cancer patients using a compound derived from a plant known as
"Thunder God vine."
The first patient to participate in this clinical trial received
treatment today at Scottsdale Healthcare's Virginia G. Piper Cancer
Center Clinical Trials, a partnership of Scottsdale Healthcare and
TGen.
The Thunder God vine (Tripterygium wilfordii), also known as lei
gong teng, is native to China, Japan and Korea. Traditional Chinese
medicine has used the vine for more than 2,000 years as a treatment
for everything from fever to inflammation and autoimmune diseases,
such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
A chemical compound called triptolide is among the more than 100
bioactive ingredients derived from the Thunder God vine.
Preclinical studies showed a pharmaceutical version of triptolide
called Minnelide proved effective against pancreatic cancer cells,
according to a study by Dr. Ashok K. Saluja, Professor and
Vice-Chair, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota and
Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Minneamrita Therapeutics
LLC, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved use
of the compound Minnelide for a clinical trial of gastrointestinal
cancer patients - including pancreatic cancer.
"We have known for years about the potential beneficial use of
Thunder God vine, but only recently with the advent of Minnelide
have we created a form of triptolide that can be easily
administered to patients," said Dr. Mohana R. Velagapudi, Chief
Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Minneamrita Therapeutics LLC,
the trials sponsor. "This clinical trial will hopefully provide the
proof of concept so patients beyond the trial can benefit as
well."
Noted pancreatic cancer authority Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff is the
principal investigator for the trial opening at Virginia G. Piper
Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare. Von Hoff is
Chief Scientific Officer for Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
Clinical Trials and TGen's Physician-In-Chief.
"The preclinical results of Minnelide were outstanding," Von Hoff
said. "The level of positive preclinical activity gives us hope
that this is a new lead for trying to help patients battling
pancreatic cancer."
With more than 40 active clinical trials for advanced or rare
cancers, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at
Scottsdale Healthcare, through its partnership with TGen, is one of
the leading centers for Phase I oncology trials in the nation.
These clinical trials provide clinical care options that did not
exist before to Phoenix-area patients as well as patients from all
over the country.
"Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in
their own health care, gain access to new research treatments
before they are widely available, and help others by contributing
to medical research," said Dr. Ramesh Ramanathan, Medical Director
for Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale
Healthcare. "The Minnelide trial is another example of how we're
bringing added benefit to cancer patients through these
first-in-human clinical trials."
Translational Drug Development (TD2), a pharmaceutical development
subsidiary of TGen, designed and manages the trial. TD2 worked with
Minneamrita Therapeutics LLC to secure regulatory approval for the
Phase I trial, which, in addition to the VGPCC Clinical Trials
Program, also opened at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer
Center, where Dr. Edward Greeno, Medical Director of University of
Minnesota Physicians Cancer Care, is the principal
investigator.
"Minnelide is a remarkable drug and we are happy to have helped
bring its potential clinical benefit to patients here first in
Scottsdale," said Dr. Stephen Gately, President and Chief
Scientific Officer of TD2.
Individuals seeking information about eligibility to participate
in this and other VGPCC clinical trials may contact the cancer care
coordinator at (480) 323-1339, toll free at 1-877-273-3713 or via
e-mail at [email protected].
Individuals seeking information about eligibility to participate
in this trial at the University of Minnesota Physicians Cancer
Care, please contact the New Patient Access Center at (855)
486-7226.
# # #
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 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.
Press Contact:
Jamie Grim
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
480-323-1387
[email protected]
*
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
*
About Translational Drug Development (TD2)
Translational Drug Development (TD2) is an oncology drug
development organization and is wholly owned by the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen). TD2 provides innovative
services for oncology focused biopharmaceutical companies using a
dedicated team of professionals with broad experience and
understanding in drug development. TD2 is uniquely positioned to
support the need for improved and accelerated development of new
chemical entities (NCE's) for life-threatening diseases. TD2 uses a
unique combination of experience gained through its contract
research organization business, and an integrated suite of
proprietary and non-proprietary tools, preclinical study execution,
regulatory affairs assistance, clinical trial design and
management, and drug development experts to successfully move
therapeutics towards regulatory approval. TD2 is dedicated to
reducing the risks and uncertainty inherent in the drug development
process. For more information about Translational Drug Development,
visit www.td2inc.com.
Press Contact:
Tara Franks
TD2 VP, Business Operations
602-358-8322
[email protected]