The latest set of results from Poniard Pharmaceuticals' picoplatin drug have been positive, the company has announced.

Phase II clinical trials of the drug have been underway and the latest results suggest the small cell lung cancer treatment demonstrated a survival benefit in patients who have relapsed within six months of initial therapy.

According to Poniard, the drug offered survival benefits to platinum-refractory, platinum-resistant and platinum-sensitive patients, meaning that picoplatin may prove to be an effective second-line therapy for small cell lung cancer.

Jerry McMahon, Chairman and Chief Executive of Poniard, said: "These updated Phase II data are consistent with earlier studies of picoplatin in this difficult-to-treat patient population and compare favourably with the median survival for the entire population of relapsed patients who receive other second-line chemotherapy."

The drug is currently undergoing Phase III testing but if it eventually makes it onto the market, it may be used in conjunction with platinum-based therapies to help tackle platinum-refractory, platinum-resistant and platinum-sensitive cancers.

Source:

Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Updated Results of Picoplatin Phase 2 Trial Demonstrating Survival Benefit in Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients, 5/09/07
http://investor.poniard.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=262502

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