PC-SPES Studies Promising, But Manufacturer Shuts Down

Researchers at the ASCO Annual Meeting in 2002 reported promising early-stage trial results for several investigational anticancer agents. The EGFR antibody ABX-EGF showed activity in renal cell cancer, with 89% of patients developing a characteristic rash, indicating drug activity. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib demonstrated clinical benefits in about 75% of multiple myeloma patients, with 54 out of 70 patients achieving disease stabilization. Encouraged by these results, a Phase III trial was planned. Additionally, the thrombospondin-mimetic peptide ABT-510 was well tolerated in a Phase I study, achieving stable disease in some patients. Bortezomib received fast-track status from the FDA, highlighting its potential to address unmet medical needs in cancer treatment.