Vivo – Intravenous Infusions of REXIN-G – Demonstrates Dose-Dependent
Anti-Tumor Activity Without Toxicity in Patients With Progressive
Chemo-Resistant Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma (ASCO 2008)
SAN MARINO, Calif., May 29, 2008 — Epeius Biotechnologies
(http://www.epeiusbiotech.com)
announced today the results of an on-going Phase I/II study of Rexin-G
for metastatic bone and soft tissue sarcoma (J Clin Oncol 26: 14509,
2008). Rexin-G is the first and so far only targeted gene therapy
vector that has been tested in the clinic (Nature Reviews/Genetics
2007). In this open label study, cohorts of 6 to 7 patients with all
types of sarcoma, including osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma,
leiomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, chondrosarcoma,
fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, angiosarcoma, spindle cell sarcoma, and
malignant mixed Mullerian tumor of ovary, were treated with 1 x 10e11
cfu Rexin-G, administered i.v. over 5 minutes, 2 times a week for 4
weeks (Cumulative Dose = 8 x 10e11 cfu) followed by a 2-week rest
period. Patients with Grade 1 or less toxicity were given progressive
intra-patient dose-escalations consisting of additional treatment
cycles of 1 to 2 x 10e11 cfu three times a week for 4 weeks (Cumulative
Dose per cycle: 1.2-2.4 x 10e12 cfu).
These higher dosing regimens were associated with prolonged disease
stabilization and a median overall survival of greater than 6 months,
which was three times longer than that observed in the low-dose group.
Further, histologic examination of resected tumors showed 50-90%
necrosis. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed, even at the higher
doses of Rexin-G, thus confirming that repeated infusions of Rexin-G
are safe and well-tolerated. Taken together with previous clinical
studies conducted in the Philippines and Japan, these studies confirm
the exemplary safety and dose-dependent efficacy of Rexin-G in a broad
spectrum of chemotherapy-resistant cancers.
For more information about Rexin-G, on-going clinical trials in
the USA and abroad, and/or Epeius pathotropic (disease-seeking) gene
delivery systems, please contact Dr. Erlinda M. Gordon at . egordon@epeiusbiotech.com
CONTACT: Erlinda M. Gordon, M.D., of Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation,+1-626-441-6695, egordon@epeiusbiotech.com
Web site: http://www.epeiusbiotech.com/