To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Zadaxin (Thymalfasin) Plus Chemotherapy Shows Promise In Advanced Melanoma URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/195ACA.htm Doctor's Guide April 6, 2000
SAN MATEO, CA -- April 6, 2000 -- SciClone Pharmaceuticals announced that a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Melanoma Research (Volume 10, Issue 2, April 2000) suggests that Zadaxin(R) (thymalfasin), SciClone's lead immunotherapy, increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy for metastatic malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer and one of the most rapidly increasing types of cancer worldwide. In the open label pilot Phase 2 study of 20 stage III-IV metastatic malignant melanoma patients, there was a response rate of 50 percent to the combination therapy of Zadaxin, dacarbazine (DTIC) and interferon. Five patients showed a complete response and five showed a partial response. Median survival among all patients was 11.5 months, with five patients having survived for more than two years, and two patients having survived for more than five years. No additional side effects or toxicities were observed from the inclusion of Zadaxin. DTIC therapy significantly depresses a patient's immune system. In the study, Zadaxin significantly improved the patients' immune system by restoring their natural killer (NK) cells and helper T-cells (CD4), both of which are disease fighting white blood cells. "We believe Zadaxin immunotherapy will be a key component of multiple drug treatments for numerous cancers, infectious diseases and immune system disorders," said Donald R. Sellers, SciClone's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This study, in addition to a prior pilot phase 2 metastatic malignant melanoma study, several preclinical cancer studies, recent mechanism of action studies and our long experience in treating hepatitis patients, all validate that belief. We expect malignant melanoma to be a major focus of our new U.S. cancer program." No proven life-prolonging therapy exists for metastatic malignant melanoma, the leading cause of skin cancer death. Approximately 44,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. and 7,300 deaths are reported. The response rate with the current drug of choice, DTIC, is approximately 20 percent and is usually of short duration with little impact on survival. Many patients with cancer and chronic infectious diseases have an impaired immune system. Zadaxin significantly enhances the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancerous and infected cells. Zadaxin may be a key component in the growing trend toward multiple drug cocktails for cancer and infectious diseases. Zadaxin immunotherapy is in late-stage development for cancer and viral hepatitis worldwide. Zadaxin now is approved for marketing in 19 countries, principally for treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. SciClone has filed for Zadaxin marketing approval in 18 additional countries. SciClone Pharmaceuticals is a global specialty pharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes novel medicines for treating a broad range of the world's most serious diseases. The Company has focused its current product development and commercialization activities on cancer, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, drug-resistant tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis. Related Links: Zadaxin (thymalfasin) and SciClone Pharmaceuticals. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.