US pharmaceuticals company Antigenics has announced that it has started a phase one clinical trial of a new liposomal formulation of a proprietary platinum treatment.

The investigational chemotherapeutic, Aroplatin, will undergo a multi-centre, dose-ranging study to evaluate its safety and pharmacokinetic profile.

Aroplatin is a novel, third-generation liposome-encapsulated platinum compound developed for the treatment of cancer and is designed to reduce certain types of toxicities typically associated with other platinum agents.

The treatment has been reformulated to enhance its activation and stability in the treatment of solid tumours and B-cell lymphoma and the protocol for the research is designed to enrol patients with advanced solid malignancies or B-cell lymphoma.

The primary objectives of the study are to establish the maximum tolerated dose for Aroplatin and determine its pharmacokinetics and overall safety profile. Based on safety assessment and data indicative of preliminary clinical activity, Antigenics expects to implement a clinical development plan to further investigate the use of Aroplatin for other cancers.

Rena Gupta, senior vice president of development for Antigenics, said the launch of the Aroplatin trial was part of the firm's commitment to "improving convenience of use".

"The reformulation of Aroplatin is designed to potentially lead to an increase in its efficacy," he said.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd