+ + data and comments + +, page-7

re: + + drug pi-88 and its peers+ + Drug PI-88 and its Peers.

1. Multiple action of drug PI-88.
Extract from my previous post:
"In preclinical studies, PI-88 has been shown to retard the growth of primary tumors by inhibiting new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) through two mechanisms:

First; PI-88 inhibits endothelial cell proliferation by preventing the growth factors bFGF and VEGF from binding to the receptors on endothelial cells. ( Endothelial cells form the walls of blood vessels)

Second; PI-88 inhibits the heparanase enzyme secreted by a variety of cells, thus preventing the degradation of the extracellular matrix and the release of growth factors. ( Heparanase degrades the natural "glue" or extracellular matrix which holds cells together in a human body).

Additionally, PI-88 has exhibited the ability to inhibit metastasis in animal models by inactivating heparanase. This prevents the degradation of the extracellular matrix and the basement membrane of blood vessels which would otherwise allow the migration of tumor cells across the basement membrane".
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Thus, the Announcement of 4 July 2003 mentions that PI-88 has multiple action, in this case at least 2 inhibiting factors come into play. This differs from other anti-angiogenic drugs which tend to inhibit one growth factor or enzyme.

+ + + It is therefore a powerful drug which because of its multiple action, may be valuable in a range of diseases rather than just one. + + +

* * * Or it could be used in combination with someone else's drug and so increase the range of inhibitors and speed up success * * *

Both possibilities may lead to an increased market share, should Phase II Melanoma trial be successful.

But in the current Phase II Melanoma trial, it uses a combination drug: P-88 + Taxotere (Docetaxel); the latter being a chemo drug.

That may well be a very powerful combination and may produce still better results than in the mono Ib trial (few side effects) where PI-88 had retarded tumour growth in over 40% of the melanoma patients for periods lasting up to 30 months: Announcement 21 Jan. 2004.
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2. Various other Anti-Angionic drugs mentioned in the Announcement of June 4, 2003.

2.1 Astrazenica's "Iressa" works by inhibiting cell-signalling molecule EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) and hence angiogenesis through which cancer cells grow and survive. More than 40% of patients saw tumour shrinkage or stabilized disease, often associated with symptom relief, with the median time to symptom improvement being 8-10 days.

Approximately 30% of patients with a very poor prognosis were alive 1 year after treatment. Originally designed to attack non-small lung cancer. Did result in some deaths in Japan. Trials are continuing.

2.2 Millenium's "Velcade" which inhibits an enzyme complex which is key in cancer cell growth. Some 24% experienced stabilisation. Multiple Myeloma.

Note that this information about companies is not necessarily up to date.

Gerry
Readers, please do your own research and you decide if and when to buy, hold or sell any stocks.