Lorus Therapeutics Inc. reported today that the promising results of Phase II clinical trials of its lead anti-cancer drug Virulizin(R) will be presented at the 23rd Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium, titled Innovative Cancer Therapy for Tomorrow, in New York on November 8. Dr. Michael P. Thirlwell, professor of oncology and medicine and director of oncology at the Montreal General Hospital-McGill University Health Centre, will present "Phase II Trials of Virulizin(R), a Novel Biologic Agent in Pancreatic Cancer".
He will detail the encouraging clinical results obtained with Virulizin(R) in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, findings which formed the basis for Lorus' decision to conduct a pivotal randomized controlled clinical Phase III study, and will outline the design of the drug's upcoming clinical investigation.
Virulizin(R) is a non-toxic biologic agent that stimulates the immune system and enhances the patient's ability to combat tumors. The drug has proven to be safe in humans and the data obtained so far suggests that it is effective against pancreatic cancer and malignant melanoma.
"Advancing Virulizin(R) into a pivotal Phase III clinical trial is an exciting step forward for Lorus. This advancement will enable more patients to gain access to a product that has demonstrated its potential for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, and since there is an urgent need for a medical treatment for this type of cancer, it could accelerate the approval process for Virulizin(R)," said Dr. Jim Wright, president and chief scientific officer, Lorus.
In earlier announcements, Lorus reported that it plans to file an investigational new drug application (IND) for Virulizin(R) in preparation for a Phase III clinical trial.
It also reported that the meta-analysis of results obtained with patients with advanced pancreatic cancer found that the number of adverse effects of Virulizin(R) were low. Other meta-analysis findings suggest that the survival results of Virulizin(R) were superior to those found in one comparable study using gemcitabine, the standard anticancer treatment for pancreatic cancer.
The 23rd Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium, titled Innovative Cancer Therapy for Tomorrow, will be held in New York from November 8 to 11. Presented by the Division of Medical Oncology and The Page and William Black Post-Graduate School of Medicine of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (NYU), the international symposium is attended by practicing oncologists and scientists and major pharmaceutical firms from around the world.
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Lorus Therapeutics
[Contact: Julija Hunter, Pereina Choudhury]
07-Nov-2000
