Cancer drug to begin clinical trials

Up to 30 patients with advanced incurable solid-tumours are to be involved in clinical trials of a potent new anticancer drug (CYT997), developed by Australian biotechnology company Cytopia. The Phase I study will be a non-blinded, dose escalation study in patients with various cancers and could take between nine and 12 months.

Cytopia's md, Dr Kevin Healey, said that the company has obtained the necessary ethics approvals to begin clinical trials at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in association with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Q-Pharm Pty. The tests will be supervised by leading ovarian oncologist, Dr Paul Vasey, and medical oncologist, Dr Jason Lickliter.

'In animal studies, CYT997 was highly effective in killing cancer cells, including prostate, colon and breast cancer, lymphoma and leukaemia. Based on this success and the completion of a rigorous preclinical evaluation of the safety and toxicology of the drug in several animal species, we are confident to proceed to human clinical trials,' said Dr Healey. 'In addition, CYT997 appears to avoid some of the mechanisms that enable tumours to become resistant to existing first line drugs.'

The drug has a dual mode of action, directly killing cancer cells and simultaneously starving the cancer of its blood supply, which it relies on for growth. Dr Healey also said that the drug looked like it would be effective when taken orally.

Cancer is still the leading cause of death in Australia, with more than 36,000 people dying each year. More than 88,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year, while one in three men and one in four women will be directly affected by cancer before the age of 75.