Bionomics begins Phase II clinical trial of mesothelioma med in Australia
3 Apr 2010 by Wendi Lewis under News
Bionomics, an Australian biotechnology company, has announced the beginning of Phase II clinical trials for its vascular disrupting agent BNC105 as a treatment for mesothelioma. The company announced its plans to test the drug on mesothelioma patients in December 2009. It will partner with the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) and the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) Clinical Trial Centre.
The clinical trial involves 60 patients at 12 centers in Australia.It is a single arm, unblinded study for patients with mesothelioma who have progressed on platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy. BNC105 will be administered on days 1 and 8 of 21-day cycles. Treatment will continue until disease progression. The primary objective is to determine the tumor response rate.
Principal investigator for the trial is Dr. Anna Nowak, professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia and consultant medical oncologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. According to information on the company’s web site, Bionomics has already commenced Phase II testing of the anti-cancer properties of BNC105 in renal cancer in the United States. The commencement of this Phase II trial follows a successful BNC105 Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced cancers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Western Hospital, Austin Health and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Dr. Nowak says, “Mesothelioma remains a substantial problem in Australia and other parts of the world. An early clinical trial of BNC105 suggested some promise in mesothelioma. This Phase II trial will provide hope and an opportunity to participate in a research study for people with mesothelioma who do not have other options for treatment.”
Dr. Deborah Rathjen, CEO and Managing Director of Bionomics, says the company expects to report interim results of this study in mesothelioma patients in early 2011.
In 2005, Bionomics reports there were 597 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in Australia and in 2006 there were 486 deaths attributed to mesothelioma.
More information about the clinical trial is available online. Inquiries may be directed to:
Bionomics Limited
Dr Deborah Rathjen
CEO & Managing Director
+61 8 8354 6101 / 0418 160 425
drathjen@bionomics.com.au
Monsoon Communications
Rudi Michelson
+61 3 9620 3333
View Comments to “Bionomics begins Phase II clinical trial of mesothelioma med in Australia”
it’s very good news. I wish that there will be good results from clinical trials…
who have progressed on platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy. BNC105 will be administered on days 1 and 8 of 21-day cycles.
I hope the results in the US will be this positive! Good for you, Australia.
http://www.weitzlux.com/mesothelioma-research_1962600.html
This is so exciting! I wish my dad was still alive to hear this. I guarantee, he’d be buying his tickets to Australia right now!
nice info, i’ll inform my friend about this
nice info, i’ll inform my friend about this
Great to know there are positive steps forward. Hopefully phase II in the trails is successfull. For information on Mesothelioma in the United Kingdom please visit
Mesothelioma In The UK. Information And Support Networks
Are any of these Mesothelioma trial for Peritoneal Mesotheliona?
I am a 39 years old mum of two. Diagnosed with malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma in December 2010 my prognosis that I’ve been given is 12 Months. I’ve been offered no treatment at all, I would love any feed back…Regards Suzie U.K.
My face book page is Suzie Jeng grant our mummy’s wish. Have a look.
I’m a bit skeptical about all these new advances. Survival rates for mesothelioma have not increased in the past fourty years. It’s a very sad fact. I am a strong advocate for getting rid of the hazard rather than fixing someone one they have contracted an asbestos disease.
nice and informative post…you can get more here at http://www.mesotheliomatipguide.info
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