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* Data is published in the current edition of a peer-reviewed journal,
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
* SPI-1620 transiently increases blood flow to tumors
* Selectively enhances paclitaxel delivery to tumors
* Enhances anti-tumor efficacy in breast tumor animal models
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spectrum
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPPI) today announced that data from a study
conducted by Dr. N.V. Rajeshkumar, from the University of Illinois at Chicago,
on SPI-1620, was presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on
Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics: Discovery, Biology, and Clinical
Applications Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Data published in the abstract clearly shows that SPI-1620 significantly
enhances the efficacy of paclitaxel. Animals treated with SPI-1620 followed
by treatment with paclitaxel 15 minutes later showed better efficacy when
compared to control animals in terms of tumor volume, progression and complete
regression. In fact, only SPI-1620-treated groups showed complete regression.
The study demonstrates that SPI-1620 could be used as a tumor selective
vasodilator to enhance delivery and efficacy of paclitaxel and other
chemotherapeutic agents.
In addition, this information is contained in the current issue of a peer
reviewed journal, "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment," which published a
research article entitled "Endothelin B receptor agonist, IRL-1620, enhances
the anti-tumor efficacy of paclitaxel in breast tumor rats."
"We are pleased to announce both the presentation at the AACR-NCI-EORTC
meeting and the publication of this proof-of-principle data in a reputed
journal," stated Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and President. "In addition to the enhanced delivery of paclitaxel to breast
tumors as shown in this publication, we now have evidence that this approach
is applicable to the delivery of other cancer drugs in other cancer models.
We look forward to moving this product into the clinic in 2006."
About SPI-1620
SPI-1620 is an endothelin B agonist that stimulates receptors on
endothelial cells, the innermost layer of cells lining the blood vessels, to
selectively dilate blood vessels in the tumor, resulting in a transient
increase in blood flow and a consequent increase in the delivery of
anti-cancer drugs, such as paclitaxel, to the tumor, as shown in animal
studies to date.
About Spectrum Pharmaceuticals
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in
the business of acquiring, developing and commercializing prescription drug
products for the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs. By
leveraging its operational flexibility and regulatory proficiency, and using
the extensive research and development capabilities of its strategic alliance
partners, Spectrum has built a diversified portfolio of proprietary and
generic drug products in various stages of development and regulatory
approval. For more information, please visit our website at
http://www.spectrumpharm.com.
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future
events and the future performance of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals that involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
These statements include but are not limited to statements that relate to our
business and its future, the Companys operational flexibility and regulatory
proficiency, the extensive research and development capabilities of the
Companys strategic alliance partners, SPI-1620s ability to be used as a
tumor selective vasodilator to enhance delivery and efficacy of paclitaxel and
other chemotherapeutic agents, moving SPI-1620 into the clinic in 2006 and any
statements that relate to the intent, belief, plans or expectations of
Spectrum or its management, or that are not a statement of historical fact.
Risks that could cause actual results to differ include the possibility that
our existing and new drug candidates, may not prove safe or effective, the
possibility that our existing and new drug candidates may not receive approval
from the FDA, and other regulatory agencies in a timely manner or at all, the
possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, if approved, may not be
more effective, safer or more cost efficient than competing drugs, the
possibility that past results are not indicative of future results the
possibility that price and other competitive pressures may make the marketing
and sale of our generic drugs not commercially feasible, the possibility that
our efforts to acquire or in-license and develop additional drug candidates
may fail, our lack of revenues, our limited experience in establishing
strategic alliances, our limited marketing experience, our limited experience
with the generic drug industry, our dependence on third parties for clinical
trials, manufacturing, distribution and quality control and other risks that
are described in further detail in the Companys reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Laurie Little
Sr. Director, Investor Relations
(949) 743-9216
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