Combining the platinum-based drug cisplatin with brostallicin could be an effective treatment of tumours in patients with chemotherapy-resistant cancers, a US pharmaceuticals firm has claimed.

Trials of the treatment conducted by Systems Medicine showed positive preliminary results on tumours with high levels of GSH/GST common in platinum-resistant conditions such as recurrent or metastatic recurrent tumours.

Preliminary results from the first 21 patients treated under Phase I showed 14 experiencing stable disease, half of whom maintaining this state for more than six cycles of therapy, Systems Medicine claims.

Steven Weitman, Managing Director of Systems Medicine, said: "Our phase I and II experience with brostallicin in over 160 patients demonstrates encouraging anti-tumour activity in a variety of solid tumours, with more than 50 per cent of the patients experiencing at least disease stabilisation."

Phase II tests combining cisplatin and brostallicin are planned, Mr Weitman added.

During Phase I of the trials, three-week treatment cycles were used, with dosage increased from five to seven mg/m2 with a fixed dose of cisplatin.

Source:

Brostallicin Trial Data Demonstrates Encouraging Anti-tumor Activity in Patients With Chemotherapy-Resistant Cancers, 21/11/07
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/AQW03821112007-1.htm

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