EC145 new chemotherapy for platinum resistant cancer

LaundryQueen
LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
edited May 2011 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Very exciting news from Endocyte, Inc.:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43099665

EC145 is the first drug to demonstrate a significant improvement in PFS (progression-free survival) in a randomized study in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The results are particularly important for these patients because there are very few treatment options available. In the U.S., no new drug has been approved for women with platinum resistant ovarian cancer in over 10 years," said Ron Ellis, president and chief executive officer of Endocyte. "We have already advanced EC145 into its Phase 3 evaluation in the PROCEED trial, which is designed to replicate PRECEDENT's success and is now open to accrual."

About EC145

EC145 is a conjugate of the vitamin folate and a very potent vinca alkaloid. Folate is required for cell division, and rapidly dividing cancer cells over-express folate receptors in order to capture enough folate to support cell division. By combining a chemotherapy drug with folate, EC145 targets cancer cells while avoiding most normal cells. This targeted approach is designed to provide treatment with potent drugs while providing lower toxicity than standard chemotherapy.

About EC20

EC20 is a folate-targeted molecular imaging agent that is being developed as a non-invasive method to identify tumors that over-express folate receptors. These tumors are the molecular target of Endocyte's folate-targeted therapeutic compounds such as EC145. To date, EC20 has been administered to over 350 patients and has been found to be well tolerated.

Comments

  • kikiz
    kikiz Member Posts: 94
    #2
    What great news. Sounds like
    What great news. Sounds like not only will it help those that are platinum resistant but since it is able to selectively target cancer cells, it will leave people in better health, by leaving alone alot of the normal cells.

    It would be nice to have a treatment that doesn't kill the good with the bad, since alot of cancer problems are not only the cancer itself, but what the "Cure" takes with it.

    Lori
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #3
    kikiz said:

    What great news. Sounds like
    What great news. Sounds like not only will it help those that are platinum resistant but since it is able to selectively target cancer cells, it will leave people in better health, by leaving alone alot of the normal cells.

    It would be nice to have a treatment that doesn't kill the good with the bad, since alot of cancer problems are not only the cancer itself, but what the "Cure" takes with it.

    Lori

    Folate-fortified bread
    I haven't had a chance to look into the EC145 research--but I wonder if the patients in the study were put on a "folate restricted" diet while they were given the EC145 drug. By restricting folate, the cancer would have empty folate receptors and eagerly take up the drug.

    I don't know if it is common knowledge that most white flour products in the US are now fortified with folate (a vitamin usually found in green leafy vegetables) to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida & cleft palate.

    If someone's cancer "over-expresses" folate receptors, that means FOLATE FEEDS THEIR CANCER. It's something to think about the next time you eat bread.

    LQ
  • kikiz
    kikiz Member Posts: 94
    #4
    LaundryQueen said:

    Folate-fortified bread
    I haven't had a chance to look into the EC145 research--but I wonder if the patients in the study were put on a "folate restricted" diet while they were given the EC145 drug. By restricting folate, the cancer would have empty folate receptors and eagerly take up the drug.

    I don't know if it is common knowledge that most white flour products in the US are now fortified with folate (a vitamin usually found in green leafy vegetables) to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida & cleft palate.

    If someone's cancer "over-expresses" folate receptors, that means FOLATE FEEDS THEIR CANCER. It's something to think about the next time you eat bread.

    LQ

    Does wheat bread have the
    Does wheat bread have the same problem. I try to eat healthy and use only whole grain breads but also want to enjoy the things I have always loved. I think it is a hard balance, but I must have 2 hot fudge malts this summer and bread pudding at least once.

    Lori
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #5
    kikiz said:

    Does wheat bread have the
    Does wheat bread have the same problem. I try to eat healthy and use only whole grain breads but also want to enjoy the things I have always loved. I think it is a hard balance, but I must have 2 hot fudge malts this summer and bread pudding at least once.

    Lori

    Whole grains
    I am not a nutritionist but I'll tell you that I hardly ever eat bread at all (starch just turns into sugar)...and you couldn't pay me to eat bread pudding or hot fudge. It would probably put me into an anxiety attack thinking that I was feeding some tiny cancer cells lurking somewhere in my belly. But that's me...my dietary restrictions are part of my anti-anxiety program. Hahahahaha!

    What if the things you love, don't love you back?

    LQ
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #6
    LaundryQueen said:

    Whole grains
    I am not a nutritionist but I'll tell you that I hardly ever eat bread at all (starch just turns into sugar)...and you couldn't pay me to eat bread pudding or hot fudge. It would probably put me into an anxiety attack thinking that I was feeding some tiny cancer cells lurking somewhere in my belly. But that's me...my dietary restrictions are part of my anti-anxiety program. Hahahahaha!

    What if the things you love, don't love you back?

    LQ

    oh-oh
    I take folic acid every day. maybe I should stop I am confused. I have a one month check-up in am and will ask. Thanks LQ. You are very well educated about this disease...val
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #7
    LaundryQueen said:

    Whole grains
    I am not a nutritionist but I'll tell you that I hardly ever eat bread at all (starch just turns into sugar)...and you couldn't pay me to eat bread pudding or hot fudge. It would probably put me into an anxiety attack thinking that I was feeding some tiny cancer cells lurking somewhere in my belly. But that's me...my dietary restrictions are part of my anti-anxiety program. Hahahahaha!

    What if the things you love, don't love you back?

    LQ

    Sad but true
    There are so many things I used to love to eat, that didn't love me back. But I'm on the same antianxiety program you are, LQ. And frankly, I don't miss all those unfriendly foods. On the rare occasion that I have eaten them, I realize I don't feel very well afterwards. Once you stop feeding bad foods to your body, your body becomes much less tolerant to them.

    It is wonderful to see that they are coming up with new, targeted therapies. Wouldn't it be wonderful if your life could be fairly normal while undergoing cancer treatment?
  • Mum2bellaandwilliam
    Mum2bellaandwilliam Member Posts: 412
    #8
    Tethys41 said:

    Sad but true
    There are so many things I used to love to eat, that didn't love me back. But I'm on the same antianxiety program you are, LQ. And frankly, I don't miss all those unfriendly foods. On the rare occasion that I have eaten them, I realize I don't feel very well afterwards. Once you stop feeding bad foods to your body, your body becomes much less tolerant to them.

    It is wonderful to see that they are coming up with new, targeted therapies. Wouldn't it be wonderful if your life could be fairly normal while undergoing cancer treatment?

    wow!
    Mum is platinum refractory so this looks awesome , I just hope they get it approved quickly !
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #9
    poopergirl14052 said:

    oh-oh
    I take folic acid every day. maybe I should stop I am confused. I have a one month check-up in am and will ask. Thanks LQ. You are very well educated about this disease...val

    Something to think about...
    Val: I don't know whether or not it's a good idea to supplement with folic acid/folate or not but it makes me think more research really should be done on this issue. Since 80-90% of ovarian cancers supposedly DO over express folate receptors, wouldn't it just make sense to tell us survivors to avoid folic acid/folate and foods fortified with folate?

    I'm thinking about the CAAT diet which has lots of research to support it and definitely has cancer survivors avoiding folate.

    The more I learn, the more I know that I have a lot more to learn.

    LQ

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