ORLANDO, FL — May 23, 2002 —
Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI) reported results from several early phase clinical trials of the oral farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) Sarasar* (lonafarnib) at the 38th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Sarasar is a member of a new class of compounds called FTI’s that take a novel approach to treating cancer by inhibiting farnesyl transferase, a key enzyme involved in the regulation of the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.
Inhibition of protein farnesylation alters the activity of a number of proteins important in tumor cell proliferation, including the Ras oncogene family. Sarasar was discovered and developed by SPRI and has demonstrated potential as an antitumor agent in preclinical studies against a broad array of tumor types. Sarasar has been well tolerated in early clinical trials.
“Schering-Plough’s commitment to developing unique therapies for treating cancer is evidenced by the Sarasar data presented at ASCO this year,” said Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D., president of Schering-Plough Research Institute. “Although preliminary, we are encouraged by the results of Sarasar used as a single agent and in combination with standard chemotherapy agents against a variety of difficult-to-treat cancers.
Through this clinical research, physicians are gaining a better understanding of the potential of using available therapy in combination with new therapies in treating cancer.” Clinical Studies Results of a Phase I study designed to assess the safety and tolerability of a combination regimen of Sarasar plus paclitaxel were presented today by Allan Lipton, M.D., and colleagues from the Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa.; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, R.I.; and the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Of the 27 patients with advanced cancer who were treated using different doses of Sarasar plus paclitaxel, 63% experienced either a partial response or disease stabilization. The study also investigated the tolerability of different dosage regimens.
Andrew Scott Pierson, M.D., and colleagues from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver, Colo., presented the results of a Phase I study that assessed the safety and tolerability of a combination regimen of Sarasar, cisplatin and gemcitabine in previously treated patients with advanced solid tumors. Preliminary results based on 14 patients indicate that the use of this regimen is well tolerated. The study will continue with less heavily pretreated patients.
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