Mesothelioma Anti–Cancer Drug on Phase II Trial

Mesothelioma News

Bionomic’s Cancer Drug Showing Promise for Mesothelioma; Phase II Mesothelioma Trial Announced

December 22, 2009 — After a phase I trial that showed significant promise in inhibiting tumor growth, Australian pharmaceutical company Bionomic has announced a phase II trial of their BNC105 anti–cancer agent focusing on 60 mesothelioma patients. This is the second planned Phase II clinical trial to test the effectiveness of the anti–cancer properties of BNC105 after Bionomic announced a U.S.–based Phase II renal cancer trial earlier this year.

BNC105 is a new type of anti–cancer drug called a Vascular Disruption Agent (VDA) which blocks the blood supply to a solid tumor, effectively “starving” the tumor of nutrients. Pre–clinical data indicates that BNC105 has a dual mechanism of action with the ability to not only block the supply of nutrients to the tumor but also to directly destroy cancer cells. In addition, BNC105 is retained in the tumor at high levels for an extended period of time, enhancing its anti–cancer effect. For patients, the success of such a treatment could help stabilize the disease and slow down the typical rapid progression of mesothelioma cancer.

As part of the phase II trial, BNC105 will be used as 2nd line chemotherapy treatment for advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma and will be administered on day 1 and 8 of 21–day chemotherapy cycles. The primary objective of the trial is to determine the tumor’s response rate to BNC105. The secondary endpoints include progression free survival, quality of life, overall survival and treatment duration.

Mesothelioma Patient’s Quality of Life Could Improve with BNC105 Success

Mesothelioma, a cancer that most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), is known to be caused by exposure to airborne asbestos. Due to the latency of asbestos diseases, mesothelioma may not present itself until 40 years after exposure to asbestos first took place. It is also a very fast, aggressive cancer that has no known cure—giving patients a very bleak outlook after diagnosis. Current mesothelioma treatment options have yet to offer the potential for improving the quality of life that, if the trials are successful, BNC105 could offer.

For more information about mesothelioma, please visit our overview on mesothelioma and asbestos diseases. If you are interested in emerging treatments in U.S.–based clinical trials, visit our mesothelioma clinical trial resource. A meeting with an attorney can help explain your legal rights—please see our guide to selecting a mesothelioma attorney.