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May 22, 2000
Clinical Trials/Updates from ASCO: C225
A news report released today from the ASCO meeting in New Orleans spotlights research in the investigational drug, C225 from ImClone. C225 is being tested in the treatment of head/neck cancer, colon cancer, and in pancreatic cancer, here at M D Anderson. A report from USA Today can be found at this link: USA Today Reports on C225.
M D Anderson's official news release regarding the recent interest in C225 is at this link: C225 Targets Cancer Cells
An AP report comments and quotes Dr James Abbruzzese on the trial:
Dr. James Abbruzzese of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is using the drug experimentally on patients with pancreatic cancer, which is especially difficult to treat. He said that while doctors are enthusiastic about the potential of this approach, he cautioned: ``It's very preliminary. We don't want to overstate what we are seeing until we have an adequate amount of follow up time.''
In addition, NBC Nightly News will be airing a report on the head/neck aspects of this trial featuring M D Anderson physician Roy Herbst, MD. Local newscasts in Houston on KPRC-TV Channel 2 will also cover the story, including interviews with Dr John Mendelsohn, president of M D Anderson who actually pioneered the laboratory research that led up to this type of treatment.
Information about the pancreatic cancer trial with C225 at M D Anderson can be found at this link: C225 Trial in Pancreatic Cancer
Clinical Trials/Medical Oncology:
Two new trials are available for pancreatic cancer patients at M D Anderson. Both involve the Schering-Plough investigational drug, SCH 66336. Links to the abstracts, including qualifications, can be found here: Pancreas Clinical Trials/Category D
Protocol ID99-168, Phase II trial of Merck's L-778,123 is now closed due to high toxicity and low tumor responses. There are no futher plans to persue study of this drug at M D Anderson.
May 16, 2000
Clinical trials: CLARIFICATION REGARDING ANVIRZEL(tm)
It has come to our attention that a rumor is circulating
worldwide that M D Anderson Cancer Center is conducting clinical trials
in and is promoting the use of Anvirzel (tm) in the treatment of pancreatic
cancer. The rumor seems to be originating from a website based in Honduras.
This rumor is absolutely untrue. M D Anderson did consider
a Phase I clinical trial last year, but has decided not to pursue it
at this time.
Further, the Honduras website quotes the Chairman of Experimental Therapeutics,
Dr Robert Newman. The quote is taken completely out of context and is
very misleading. Per Dr. Newman in an email to the webmaster (reprinted
with his permission):
"Thanks for the info. Actually I am aware of....but certainly did not participate in building or choosing material for the website. They took comments from a casual conversation I had with the company and posted them which I have already told them I don't appreciate. I did research with Anvirzel as part of a sponsored research agreement with Ozelle Pharmaceuticals during the past year. Anvirzel is an interesting compound currently in Phase I trial at Cleveland Clinic. It may/may not have any antitumor activity in patients but its preclinical activity is interesting and there will be two Cancer Research articles coming out in the next few months describing our work."
Dr Newman's research has been confined to the laboratory in the form of test tube and animal research. There has been no work in human patients to date at M D Anderson. Any further updates regarding the study of Anvirzel at M D Anderson will be posted on this webpage. Information regarding this research on other websites should be discounted unless it is confirmed here.
April 6, 2000
Education/Awareness: Pancreatic Cancer: Search For The Cure To Air on FOX's 'The Health Network'
FOX's cable channel, "The Health Network" will be airing a 30-minute special about the pancreatic cancer and current research efforts this Monday, April 10 at 9:30 pm and 12:30 am EDT. The special will be co-hosted by M D Anderson's own James Abbruzzese, MD.
Check your local cable listings for the channel. VHS copies
of the program are available from the Information Television Network
at 1-888-380-6500.
Visit the Information Television Network online at www.itvisus.com