Two New DNA Tests Could Offer Noninvasive Ways of Detecting Colon Cancer

Two new DNA based tests could help most people avoid colonoscopies if they are ultimately approved by the FDA after completing clinical trials and testing. Colon cancer is diagnosed in approximately 150,000 people per year in the US.

Exact Sciences of Madison, WI uses stool samples, and searches for the presence of four altered genes that are diagnostic indicators of colon cancer. This test could catch cancerous and precancerous tumors at an early stage, when they are still curable. Doctors could then remove them promptly. Exact Sciences hopes to complete a trial in 2012 and the test, if approved by the FDA could be available shortly thereafter.

Epigenomics AG of Germany has developed another test that searches in blood for changes in a single gene, Septin 9. This single gene is not in the Exact Sciences’ panel of genes.

Both tests could be less expensive than a colonoscopy, and would presumably have better compliance because many people avoid colonoscopies due to their invasive nature and unpleasant preparation.

To read more about these tests please refer to the NY Times article by Nicholas Wade dated 10/29/10 by clicking here.

Short Summaries from the European Society for Medical Oncology Conference

Erbitux, a product manufactured by Eli Lilly and Merck KGaA of Germany delayed the spread of breast cancer, when given in conjunction with cisplatin, by about two months in a study of women with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) an aggressive breast tumor with few treatment options. Adding Erbitux to chemotherapy lengthened the time before progression from 1.5 months to 3.7 months according to a mid-stage Phase II study. Twenty percent of Erbitux patients saw their cancer shrink or disappear compared to ten percent of those on chemotherapy only. Erbitux is already approved for advanced colon cancer as well as head and neck tumors. In another finding relating to bowel cancer, the drug may not be effective with some oxaliplatin based chemotherapy combinations. To view a full press release from Reuters click here.

ImmunoGen, Inc. announced some encouraging clinical data for lorvotuzumab mertansine, a targeted anti cancer compound. Lorvotuzumab mertansine is designed to target and kill cancer cells that express CD56, a protein and uses ImmunoGen’s patented Targeted Antipbody Payload technology. This targeted compound (also called IMGN901) is a potential treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, and other CD56+ tumors. The finding was from an early stage clinical trial, and will have to be followed up with further disease specific studies. To read more about this study click here.

ImmunoGen TAP Technology Receives Endorsement from Novartis through Collaboration Agreement

ImmunoGen, Inc. announced on Monday 10/11 that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Novartis to discover and develop targeted anticancer therapeutics using antibodies to several antigen targets to be named by Novartis.
Novartis will pay a $45 million upfront fee to ImmunoGen for exclusive rights to the Targeted Antibody Payload (TAP) technology with antibodies to a specified number of antigen targets. ImmunoGen is also entitled to receive milestone payments plus royalties on product sales for each target resulting in an anticancer therapeutic.
A TAP compound consists of a tumor-targeting manufactured antibody with one of ImmunoGen’s proprietary, highly potent cancer killing agents attached as a payload. The antibody serves to deliver the payload specifically to tumor cells, and the payload serves to kill these cells. Essentially it is as if a bomb is sent into the tumor, and explodes inside, killing the cancer cells, but preserving the surrounding tissue. The objective is more targeted delivery of chemotherapy and subsequently lower side effects. Described in a different way, the Company's proprietary TAP, technology combines extremely potent small molecule cytotoxic agents with monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to cancer cells. The Company's TAP technology is designed to increase the potency of tumor-targeting antibodies and kill cancer cells with only modest damage to healthy tissue.
There are currently seven TAP compounds in the clinic, with a wealth of clinical data reported with the technology. ImmunoGen collaborative partners include Amgen, Bayer Schering Pharma, Biogen Idec, Biotest, Genentech (a member of the Roche Group), Sanofi-Aventis, and now Novartis. The most advanced compound using ImmunoGen's TAP technology, T-DM1, is in Phase III testing through the Company's collaboration with Genentech (as highlighted in our prior blog).
For more information about ImmunoGen you can view the comapany website: http://www.immunogen.com/wt/home/home
For the specific press release about the Novartis agreement click here.