Clinical Trials

Veltuzumab

Fully Humanized Competition for Rituxan

Another Anti-CD20 Monoclonal in Clinical Trials

Immunomedics is recruiting CLL and NHL patients for a Phase I/II clinical trial of their new anti-CD20 monoclonal at multiple centers across the U.S. Read about how this Mab compares to the gold standard Rituxan in Veltuzumab: Another Anti-CD20 Monoclonal in Clinical Trials.

NK-cell Therapy: Better than a transplant?

GVL without GVHD?

Having Your Cake and Eating It Too

New research findings point to NK (Natural Killer) cells as the most potent cell line capable of GVL (graft-versus-leukemia), but these cells do not seem to do as much GVHD (Graft-Versus-Host-Disease). A brand new clinical trial launched at the University of Minnesota uses haplo NK cells in an attempt to get the much desired GVL, while steering clear of the dreaded GVHD. This is an early stage trial but one with sufficient potential that CLL Topics has decided to sponsor it and fund part of its cost. Most of our patients will have access to haplo donors, since children are by definition haplo match to their parents. For late stage patients unsure about submitting to the risks of a stem cell transplant, or who do not have suitable adult donors, this NK cell clinical trial may be a good fit. Our review NK-cell Therapy: Better than a transplant? describes the background, rationale and advantages of this approach, as well as providing inclusion criteria and contact information. (7/28/2008)

MUD Transplants at the NCI

NIH Will Pick Up the Tab

Brand New Protocol Makes Its Debut

The NCI has just announced a new mini-allo MUD stem cell transplant clinical trial designed to evaluate the relative efficacy of two different methods of handling GVHD (graft versus host disease). Patients should take additional – and particular – notice of the fact that the NCI will pay for the entire protocol – from cytoreduction to transplant and post-transplant monitoring. Patients with a well matched unrelated donor (MUD) but without adequate insurance will find this trial may open a door that is otherwise closed. To find out more please read MUD Transplants at the NCI. (1/18/08)

Immunotoxins

Monoclonal Antibodies with Enhanced Firepower

CAT8015 – A Trojan Horse

Investigators at the NCI and NIH are hard at work on another agent that promises to combine sharp targeting and a powerful knockout punch to destroy CLL cells: an immunotoxin called CAT-8015. A new clinical trial with this agent has been announced and is currently recruiting. In our article, CAT8015 – A Trojan Horse, we review the background science and discuss the pros and cons of this approach. (4/12/07)

Follicular Lymphoma

Phase III Clinical Trial of Single-Agent HuMax-CD20

Seeking Approval on Different Fronts

In mid-2006 Genmab announced the launch of a second pivotal phase III clinical trial of HuMax-CD20 as a single agent: this time for treating follicular lymphoma patients who have failed chemoimmunotherapy combinations incorporating Rituxan or Rituxan given as maintenance therapy. While the trial is interesting in itself as expanding the options for follicular lymphoma patients, it also serves as another clinical platform to demonstrate the theoretically superior efficacy of HuMax-CD20 when compared to Rituxan. The results of this clinical trial should be of interest to CLL patients since approval for the treatment of follicular lymphoma would put HuMax-CD20 in an FDA approval status similar to that of Rituxan. Details in: HuMax-CD20 Monotherapy in Refractory Follicular Lymphoma. (1/21/07)

HuMax-CD20 plus Fludarabine plus Cyclophosphamide

Genmab Announcement.

Phase II Trial of New Chemo-Immunotherapy Combination

Genmab has recently announced a new chemoimmunotherapy combination clinical trial involving its anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, HuMax-CD20 (generic name ofatumumab). This is a phase II dose comparison trial. The Genmab protocol combines HuMax-CD20 with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide over a 6 month treatment cycle. The trial is currently being offered at four recruitment centers in the United States. There is reason to hope that HuMax-CD20 will be more effective than Rituxan both as a single agent as well as in chemoimmunotherapy combinations such as this. You can find our discussion of this announcement at: HFC Announcement. (1/9/07)

HuMax-CD20: Risks and Rewards

Belt, Suspenders and Cummerbund

Get to Know Ofatumumab

HuMax-CD20 derives part of its improved efficacy from its capacity to work with a patient's complement system to destroy B-cells. In HuMax-CD20 Risks and Rewards, we examine the potential risks of complement depletion that may accompany intensive treatment with this monoclonal antibody — and suggest a possible precautionary measure for those who are taking part in the Phase III trial of this agent for fludarabine- and Campath-refractory patients. (8/12/06)

HuMax-CD20

A Smarter Monoclonal on Trial

What Makes HuMax-CD20 Different from Rituxan?

In this article we take a closer look at the new agent starring in Genmab's recently announced Phase III clinical trial for fludarabine and Campath refractory CLL patients. This well-designed trial keys in on HuMax-CD20's strengths which we hope will provide significantly better results than singe-agent Rituxan, especially in this difficult patient cohort. To learn more about this pivotal trial and to understand how this important new monoclonal antibody works, read A Smarter Monoclonal on Trial. (7/20/06)

Genmab in the News

HuMax-CD20 in Action

Harvey is Back!

We have an opportunity to see HuMax-CD20 in action when Harvey and Serena pack their bags and travel to England in pursuit of therapy with this new agent under the guidance of Professor Terry Hamblin. The story unfolds in Genmab & Harvey in the News. (5/24/06)

Sponsored Clinical Trial

Low Hanging Fruit

Improving Routine Immunizations

Sometimes, when luck is running our way and all the stars are in their correct positions in the heavens, everything comes together just so and we have an opportunity to do ourselves a favor as a community. In our new article, Improving Immunizations, we present a clinical trial to test a method that may boost the efficacy of routine immunizations for CLL patients. We are happy to report that Prof. Terry Hamblin is now working on making this trial a reality. (5/13/06)

Chemotherapy

A Direct Comparison of F+C vs F

Is More Necessarily Better?

The latest issue of Blood carries an article from the German CLL Study Group comparing single-agent fludarabine against a combination of fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide. This is a well-structured, rigorous study and the study group comes to some surprising conclusions. Read F+C vs F for our analysis of the study and comments from an editorial in Blood by Dr. Neil Kay. (3/18/06)

Vaccines

A Vaccine Trial for CLL Patients

Finally, It's Our Turn ...

Genitope Corp. has announced a clinical trial of their MyVax proprietary vaccine technology for untreated, early stage CLL patients. We examine this promising technology and the structure of the Genitope clinical trial in our new article, A Vaccine Trial for CLL Patients. (3/4/06)

Clinical Trial Updates

The Search for Consistency in Reporting Results

Comparing Apples to Kumquats and One Small Victory

We revisit two clinical trials discussed in past articles - FCR and PCR. Comparing the results of these two trials is not easy but we nevertheless make a brave attempt. We also discuss new trials in the offing and report a welcome change in the design of the FCR + M clinical trial.  Sometimes it helps to tilt with windmills! Read all about these things in Clinical Trial Updates. (1/17/06)

FCR 'Lite'

The Search for Efficacy with Lower Toxicity

New Clinical Trial Seeks the Goldilocks Solution

A new chemoimmunotherapy combination employing a higher dosage of Rituxan with reduced dosages of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, is being tested in a clinical trial at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. The investigators would like to achieve high response rates with lower toxicity compared to FCR "Classic" pioneered at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. We review the protocol and comment on the clinical trial design in our article on FCR Lite. We also interviewed Dr. Kenneth Foon, the principal investigator for this clinical trial at UPMC. (1/12/06)

HuMax Clinical Trial

Early Results from GenMab's Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody

The Half-Full Glass

We have high hopes for the new generation of monoclonal antibodies that are under development and have discussed new trials under way to test these agents in the clinic. Early results form one such trial, involving GenMab's HuMax, were highlighted at the 2005 ASH conference in Atlanta. We offer our analysis of the published results in Results from GenMab's HuMax-CD20 Clinical Trial. (1/3/06)

Targeting Bcl-2

Anti-death Protein Protects Cancer Cells

We Review Clinical Trials of Three Different Drugs

Clinical trials are currently under way testing three different drugs to suppress or attack a family of proteins that confers longevity to CLL cells. We review the science behind this approach — and give you our take on the drugs and the clinical trials — in Targeting Bcl-2. (11/2/05)

Clinical Trials

A Patient Sponsored Clinical Trial

Project Alpha Kickoff

It has taken longer than we thought it would, but we are pleased to announce Project Alpha is finally ready to start recruiting patients. It represents a first of its kind collaboration between patients and the research community.  Your hard earned money went into making this "EGCG trial" a reality. You can read all the details of this newly announced clinical trial at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, in our new article, Project Alpha Kickoff. (8/22/05)

Clinical Trials

The Importance of Screening

FMC plus R: Brit. Version

Drawing from the information sheet provided to patients in the UK FCM/FCM-R CLL trial, we make some comparisons with the previously discussed M. D. Anderson clinical trial (Mitoxantrone to Turbocharge FCR Combo?). The issue of pre-screening participants for cardiac conditions is being addressed differently in the U. K. trial as you will see in FMC plus R - Brit. Version. (8/18/05)

Clinical Trials

MD Anderson Responds

More on Mitoxantrone plus FCR

We are pleased to report that Dr. Stefan Faderl, the principal investigator at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for the FCR+M and Neulasta clinical trial, has responded to our letter and the review of the clinical trial we published yesterday (see story introduction below: Mitoxantrone to Turbocharge FCR Combo?). We offer our recommendations regarding this trial and a commentary by Dr. Terry Hamblin in More on Mitoxantrone plus FCR. (8/12/05)

Clinical Trials

Mitoxantrone Is Added to FRC Regime

Kick It Up Another Notch?

We review a new clinical trial currently recruiting patients at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Our article, Mitoxantrone to Turbocharge FCR Combo? is required reading for those considering enlisting in the Anderson FCR+M clinical trial - or for those simply interested in evaluating the risks and benefits of enrolling in any CLL clinical trial. (8/11/05)

Chemotherapy Trials

Hsp 90 and Its Inhibition by 17-AAG

An Important New Trial Has Been Announced

17-AAG may turn out to be an important therapeutic drug for CLL. It has an interesting mechanism of action and should in theory work well in poor prognostic cases. An important new phase I trial of 17-AAG has been announced and is recruiting patients at OSU, soon to be followed by Dana Farber. You can read all about it in our article 17-AAG - An Important New Trial Has Been Announced. (6/23/05)

New Clinical Trial at Mayo

Protocol for Previously Untreated Patients

Short Duration Campath plus Rituxan

A new protocol combining short duration subcutaneous Campath with standard dose Rituxan has been launched at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. It targets previously untreated Rai Stage 0-II patients. Read our review of the protocol and the relevant detail and background in Clinical Trial to Test Rituxan plus Short Duration Campath. (3/12/05)

Chemoimmunotherapy

Heavy Duty Combination: Fludarabine plus Campath

FluCam-106 Trial Sponsored by Berlex Laboratories

We have heard a great deal about chemoimmunotherapy combinations involving Rituxan — and even with the experimental newcomer, HuMax-CD20. But a trial combining the agents fludarabine and Campath, each of which has each been approved for single-agent use in CLL, has not yet been successfully conducted. FluCam-106 is our review of Berlex Labs' FluCam-106 clinical trial which was closed in October 2024 because of an inadequate recruitment rate. Our review might help you to understand potential value of this powerful combination and the difficulty of actually getting a clinical trial done with this protocol. A different phase III trial with these two agents is now being conducted by Genzyme Corporation. It may conclude more successfully — and produce a publication for us to review. (6/29/04)

Immunotoxin

Combination of Smart Targeting and Lethal Payload

New Phase II Clinical Trial of LMB-2

An antibody combining a cancer cell targeting mechanism (CD25) with a toxin is getting a tryout in CLL treatment. LMB-2 is a molecule under patent held by the NCI which shows promise in a number of hematological cancers. A Phase II trial at the NCI's Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center at Bethsda, MD is designed to demonstrate its efficacy as a CLL therapy. For details, read our review of this technology and our evaluation of this trial in our article titled LMB-2. (4/13/04)

Immunotherapy

Phase I/II Clinical Trial from Point Therapeutics

PT-100 plus Rituxan

A biotech company called Point Therapeutics based in Boston, MA has launched a phase I/II clinical trial combining its small molecule immune modulating drug, PT-100, with Rituxan. In experiments with animals, Rituxan showed increased activity against Non-hodgkins Lymphoma tumors when combined with Rituxan. If this synergy is also demonstrated with human subjects, the combination could offer a valuable therapeutic option. For details, see PT-100 plus Rituxan Clinical Trial. (7/27/03)