In order to

grow, solid tumors need to be supplied by blood vessels that act as conduits

for oxygen and nutrients. Once a vascular network has been generated around

a tumor, cancerous cells can then invade the rest of the body, a process

called metastasis. Angiogenesis inhibitors block the formation of new

blood vessels, without which cancerous cells are starved and tumors cannot

grow.

In recent years,

the therapeutic potential of angiogenesis inhibitors has gained wide acceptance.

Indeed, the scientific community now believes that more than 90 percent

of all cancer cases are angiogenesis dependent. The industry spends nearly

$4 billion annually in angiogenic research and more than 100 research

organizations and companies are currently developing angiogenesis-blocking

drugs.

terna Laboratories

Inc. is at the forefront of this effort. In fact, it is one of the very

few biotechnology companies in the world with an angiogenesis-blocker

in Phase lll clinical development. Its proprietary compound, Neovastat,

is currently the subject of Phase III trials in lung and kidney cancer

and a Phase ll trial in multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Neovastat possesses

multiple mechanisms of action that counteract the angiogenic process.

Among competing products, this makes it unique. It has also shown an excellent

safety profile in clinical trials. Further advantages of Neovastat are

that it is orally administered, which makes it convenient for patients

who must receive treatment on a long-term basis, and it may be taken in

association with standard therapies such as chemotherapy.

Angiogenesis

blockers are not a cure for cancer. They are a form of treatment in the

same way that insulin is a treatment for diabetes that should allow patients

to lead a more normal life, without suffering from the often debilitating

side-effects that some treatments can produce.

terna's clinical

trials strategy has targeted forms of cancer for which there is an urgent

need for new therapies. Since 1996, Neovastat has been tested in more

than 850 patients in North American and European countries. Currently,

Neovastat is the subject of three clinical trials, targeting three forms

of cancer. For multiple myeloma, the second most common form of blood

cancer, the drug is in Phase II trials with 125 patients in the United

States, Canada and Europe. This trial should be completed in early 2003.

For progressive renal cell carcinoma, the drug is in Phase III trials

with 302 patients in the United States, Canada and Europe, which should

be completed in early 2003. For non-small cell lung cancer, Neovastat

is in a Phase III trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute with

760 patients in the United States and Canada. This trial should be completed

in 2005.

Once the clinical

trials are complete, health authorities in various countries can then

assess these results and make decisions on approval.

To learn more

about anti-angiogenesis and terna Laboratories, visit the terna Web site

at www.aeterna.com. For more information about the NCI's clinical trials,

visit https://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov.

Back

to Healthwise Home Page |