In the first suite of Phase II clinical studies for its “vascular disrupting agent (VDA)”, “CYT997” the dosing of patients has been commenced by ‘Cytopia Limited’. The activity of this anti-cancer compound in specific cancer types which are highly unmet medical need and poor diagnosis will be investigated by these studies.

In the treatment of vascular tumors VDAs are a new class of drugs to treat cancer and have the potential for best sales. A dual action mechanism of CYT997 shuts down the established blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the tumor and also direct cyto-toxic properties. The compound was discovered by Cytopia scientists in 2003 can be administered orally as well as intravenously. To commence Phase I study an Investigational New Drug application was accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2005.

Cytopia commences dosing in its first Phase II study, finalized preparations for its second Phase II study, concluded its first Phase I safety and tolerability study with intravenous administration and continued dose-escalation in its Phase I capsule dosing study during the 2008 financial year.

Clinical Programs

After the conclusion of its initial Phase I study ‘Cytopia’ commenced dosing in it first Phase II trial in patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma in January 2008. An extensive body of preclinical studies including studies in cells from heavily pre-treated patients was followed by this clinical study. In this clinical study ‘CYT997’ established the significant anti-myeloma activity. The utility of the drug further is the main point of the Phase II studies in conventional solid tumors is extended by the potential activity of this compound in the multiple myeloma. Cytopia also aims to file an Orphan Drug Designation application in the US which gives development benefits including extended patent protection and increased regulatory consultation for this drug in multiple myeloma within 3 months.

continue reading A Report on the Clinical Trial of CYT997, the Anti-Cancer Drug

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is caused by exposure to asbestos. This exposure often occurs in the workplace, or through exposure to someone who works around asbestos. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease, nearly impossible to treat. By the time it is recognized, it is often too late to develop an effective treatment plan. Mesothelioma attacks the lining of organ tissue, forming fluid and tissue mass and affecting organ function. Surgery and radiation treatment can sometimes improve life expectancy for Mesothelioma patients, but the disease is nearly always fatal.

Cancerous (malignant) cells develop in the protective lining the surround the body’s internal organs, known as the mesothelium. The cancer most commonly develops in the pleura, which is the outer lining of the chest cavity. It also occurs, however, in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum, and the sac that surrounds the heart, which is called the pericardium.

continue reading Mesothelioma – An Overview

Causes of Mesothelioma

Before we start off with discussing the disease Mesothelioma, it would be mandatory to pen down that causes. Mesothelioma, as we all know is the most hazardous kind of cancer and is usually caused due to exceeded exposure to Asbestos. Asbestos is a kind of a fibre that is present in the lot of the insulating and the building substances and these fibres are pretty tiny to be seen with the naked eyes. Until the eighties, Asbestos was used in large quantities in the ship building, construction and even some of the household appliances. When this asbestos is moved or accidentally spoiled then it happens to release minute fibres that can be easily breathed into the lungs and can also lead to inflammation, or building up of the tissue also popularized as fibrosis and then finally to mesothelioma, a cancer. It was as recently in the sixties that the initial possible instance between mesothelioma and asbestos was made. Therefore it can be rightly identified as the most frequent cause of the cancer. These asbestos fibres, usually travel through the lungs and settle in the long membrane surrounding the lungs which is also called the pleura. Over period of time, these particles in the lung can cause an assortment of lung diseases and even mesothelioma. These asbestos particles are so tiny that they can even be consumed and a part of these fibres can stick into the digestive track and then after that they can move down to the tissue that borders the peritoneum and cause inflammation there.

continue reading A Brief Introduction on Mesothelioma