Celator(R) Pharmaceuticals Study Shows CPX-571 Maintains Synergistic Ratio Of Irinotecan And Cisplatin To Improve Anti-tumor Activity

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Conferences;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 27 Oct 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Celator Pharmaceuticals announced positive results from preclinical studies to evaluate the optimal ratio of irinotecan and cisplatin to deliver synergistic benefit against a range of tumor cell lines in vitro. The study further worked to develop an effective formulation to maintain the optimal ratio of these drugs in vivo. Results were presented this week in a poster presentation at the AACR-NCI- EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in San Francisco, CA.

In the study, combinations of irinotecan and cisplatin were applied to a panel of 20 human and murine tumor cell lines enriched with lung tumor carcinomas in vitro to identify the ratios most likely to deliver synergistic benefit. The combination exhibited strong drug ratio dependent synergy. Using Celator's proprietary CombiPlex technology, researchers then engineered a combination of irinotecan and cisplatin in liposomes to maintain a synergistic 7:1 molar ratio following intravenous administration. The product, known as CPX-571, was compared to a combination of irinotecan and cisplatin administered as free drugs, and to monotherapy with each drug agent administered in a liposome formulation in mice implanted with human solid tumor xenografts. In all tumor models tested, CPX-571 showed a high degree of anti-tumor activity and significantly improved efficacy as compared to the combination of free drugs and to the individual liposomal drug agents.

"In this study we were able to identify the optimal ratio of irinotecan and cisplatin to use in combination chemotherapy and then combine the drugs in a formulation able to maintain that ratio in animal models. Along with our progress in developing CPX-1, currently in a Phase 2 study as a therapy for colorectal cancer, and CPX-351, currently in a Phase 1 study for patients with leukemia, these promising results, indicating broad potential anti-tumor activity for CPX-571, represent another validation of Celator's CombiPlex technology platform," said Andrew Janoff, Ph.D., CEO of Celator.

CombiPlex(TM), Celator's proprietary technology platform, identifies the optimal ratio of drugs to use in combination therapies and then incorporates an advanced nanoparticle delivery system to maintain those optimal ratios when drugs are administered to patients.

"Based on these findings, there is significant support to advance CPX-571 to clinical development in the treatment of small cell lung cancers and potentially for use in treating other types of cancer," said Arthur Louie, M.D., Celator's chief medical officer.

ABOUT CELATOR

Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a privately held biopharmaceutical company working to develop new and more effective therapies to treat cancer. CombiPlex, the company's drug ratio technology platform, represents a revolutionary new approach to the development of combination therapies based on the optimal ratio of drug agents to target cancer cells effectively. The company pipeline includes: CPX-1, currently in a Phase 2 trial as a treatment option for colorectal cancer; CPX-351, currently in a Phase 1 trial as a treatment for leukemia (for information visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov and search "Celator"); CPX 571, now positioned to advance to Phase 1 trial and targeting small cell lung cancer; and multiple early stage pre-clinical development programs. Based on the applications of CombiPlex, Celator is positioned to advance a broad pipeline of combination therapies involving both previously approved and novel drug agents.

Celator Pharmaceuticals
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov

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