paywalled: Clinical development of new formulations of cytotoxics in so... : Current Opinion in Oncology

Clinical development of new formulations of cytotoxics in so... : Current Opinion in Oncology

Current Opinion in Oncology:

May 2012 - Volume 24 - Issue 3 - p 325–331

doi: 10.1097/CCO.0b013e328351fb29

INNOVATIVE EARLY CLINICAL TRIALS METHODOLOGY AND NEW THERAPEUTICS IN CANCER: Edited by Ahmad Awada

Clinical development of new formulations of cytotoxics in solid tumors

Abstract

Purpose of review: 

To discuss the clinical development of new formulations of old cytotoxic agents and highlight the value of adopting this strategy.

Recent findings: 

Several drugs are currently in clinical development with high potential in improving clinical outcomes compared with their older counterparts. We emphasize on the results of four of these agents, each belonging to a known group of cytotoxics namely amrubicin, EndoTAG-1, pralatrexate and NKTR-102. Each has shown promising results that have the potential in addressing some limitations that have been observed with the ‘earlier generation’ agents.

Summary:  

Improvement in drug development strategies and the appreciation of the mechanisms of action and resistance of the cytotoxic agents currently available in the clinic open the door for developing agents that have the potential of improving clinical outcomes with better safety profiles. It is important to adopt innovative clinical trials designs integrating molecular markers in early clinical development in order to identify the subgroups of patients who would derive the maximal benefit of these novel agents.

WSJ to Biotech: "You're All Going To Die." Thanks - Now Let's Keep Fighting. - Forbes (worth reading)

WSJ to Biotech: "You're All Going To Die." Thanks - Now Let's Keep Fighting. - Forbes

"Friday’s WSJ features a brutally – I mean brutally — frank article about the dismal state of biotech financing.  There are few revelations (certainly not for those readers of this column who I know follow the space closely), and unfortunately, few patches of sunlight.   This clip from Play It Again, Sam pretty much captures the tone.
The crisis in financing is having a chilling effect on biomedical innovation.  As discussed in my last column, the main problem in our industry is that the sheer cost of drug development has become almost prohibitively expensive, effectively pricing almost everyone but the largest companies out of the market............"

"..........In the land of digital health, I also worry that there are a lot of developers who I don’t think really understand the gravitas of illness and disease.  For many of these folks, wellness is best envisioned as a fun and entertaining diversion, one that should be pursued with enthusiasm and characterized by delight.  Yet this whole idea of “gamefication” – while obviously both popular and fundable – doesn’t really connect with so much of what I’ve seen as a physician (and you don’t have to be a physician to understand the distinction – clearly, Jamie Heywood is an it-getter).
Perhaps when you’re 22, wellness is a game, but for most of the patients I recall in internal medicine, it really was anything but; patients have very serious, often existential concerns about their health, and about their ability to work and to provide.  What these patients want, expect, and deserve is serious engagement – and not some dipshit app........."

Research uncovers possible new targets for attacking ovarian cancer - Cancerwise | Cancer blog from MD Anderson Cancer Center

Note: in research

Two studies led by scientists at MD Anderson open new areas of research that could potentially improve ovarian cancer treatment.

The discoveries published today in the journal Cancer Cell are preclinical - they employ laboratory experiments to better understand the molecular processes that drive formation and growth of cancer. Both studies found previously unknown roles for two proteins, singling them out for further research and possible drug development. ...cont'd

Full text - Biology-driven cancer drug development: back to the future