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THE POWER OF A PROTEIN:
PROVIDENCE CANCER RESEARCHERS
BEGIN GROUND-BREAKING CLINICAL TRIAL
March 8, 2006
Note: Brendan Curti, M.D., principal investigator of this trial, will be available for media interviews on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 from noon-1 p.m. at Providence Cancer Center, Providence Portland Medical Center. Please call to arrange an interview.
PORTLAND, Ore. - Cancer patients fighting for their lives may have a powerful new weapon thanks to Providence Cancer Center researchers. After years of scientific investigation, discovery, testing and preparation, researchers have launched the world’s first human clinical trial of a new cancer therapy that might not only destroy a cancerous tumor, but also keep it from recurring.
The first patient begins the new therapy in late March. The therapy is based on a monoclonal antibody called anti-OX40. The long-awaited trial, following approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is being conducted at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Providence Cancer Center patients and their families have followed the progress of the OX40 research with great anticipation ever since Andrew Weinberg, Ph.D., chief of the Laboratory of Basic Immunology at the Franz Center, first discovered OX40’s cancer-fighting power nearly a decade ago. Dr. Weinberg learned that OX40, a protein found on the surface of some white blood cells, helps the immune system destroy tumors. The finding could have worldwide implications in the search for a cure for cancer.
The clinical trial will evaluate anti-OX40, an antibody that Franz Center researchers designed to activate the OX40 protein. In early experiments in mice, anti-OX40 caused tumors to shrink or disappear. In addition, research with mice indicates anti-OX40 may build immunity against recurrence of cancer.
“We believe the OX40 trial is an important step toward the alleviation of the pain and suffering from cancer,” says Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D., director, Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute.
The Phase 1 trial will involve 30 patients over the length of the study, which will run for at least a year. The anti-OX40 antibody will be tested in patients who have failed standard cancer treatments. It will be used in patients with advanced cancer, including melanoma, lung, breast, prostate, colon and lymphoma. Each patient will be carefully monitored to gauge their tolerance to the antibody, to measure their immune responses and to analyze the antibody’s effects on their tumors.
Brendan Curti, M.D., director of Genitourinary Oncology Research at Providence Cancer Center, will lead the trial. “There are many special things about this research,” said Dr. Curti. “It’s going to be the very first trial where cancer patients, or any patients, receive this antibody. And it’s also a unique strategy to boost the immune system. The science behind this is quite strong, and quite novel.”
Dr. Curti received a $1.5 million National Institutes of Health grant to cover part of the trial costs. In addition, community donors have contributed more than $1 million toward bringing this innovative research to the clinical trial stage. Without their generous support, the OX40 trial would not have been possible.
“I decided to make a significant donation to the OX40 research program because time is of the essence in cancer research,” said Bob Gerding, a Providence Cancer Center donor. “The meager funds that might be available through grants are in overwhelming demand and may take years to receive, if ever. Meanwhile, highly promising discoveries languish and cancer patients do not receive the potential benefits of this research unless private donors are willing to step in and help make it happen. OX40 is an exciting and promising program.”
“We are incredibly proud of the partnership that has made this happen,” adds Dr. Urba. “We are able to reach the point of a clinical trial like this because of patients who trust our physicians, donors who believe in our work, and researchers who never give up.”
The Franz Cancer Research Center is well positioned to conduct these clinical trials. The center’s team of world-renowned researchers is among the most active in studying immunotherapy-a strategy to activate a person’s immune system to recognize and eliminate their own cancer cells.
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Providence Cancer Center, a part of Providence Health System, offers the latest in cancer services, including diagnosis, treatment, prevention, education, support and internationally renowned research. Scientists and clinicians are leading the way on efforts to develop vaccines for cancers such as breast, melanoma, prostate, lung and kidney cancer. Visit www.providence.org/cancer.
Contact:
Paula Gunness
503-215-6433
Paula.Gunness@providence.org
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