Cytogen study shows Quadramet may enhance immune system recognition of cancer cells

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., April 4 - Cytogen Corp. reported results of a preclinical study indicating that exposure to ionizing radiation with Quadramet (samarium Sm-153 lexidronam injection) increases the expression of surface molecules on cancer cells, potentially improving the ability of the body's immune system to recognize and kill tumor cells.

Quadramet is marketed for the relief of pain associated with cancer progression to bone in a variety of tumor types.

The findings were presented Tuesday by researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, according to a company news release.

"Recent research has provided new insights showing how dying tumor cells, such as those killed by exposure to radiation or chemotherapy, engage with antitumor immune responses," president and chief executive officer Michael D. Becker said in the release.

"Building on this research, these new preclinical findings presented by researchers at the NCI further support ongoing efforts to investigate therapeutic options that combine Quadramet with synergistic agents for the treatment of a wide range of cancer types."

The poster presentation demonstrated that exposure to Quadramet resulted in up-regulation of five surface molecules on cancer cells, making it more likely that the cells will be identified and killed by tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cytogen said these data suggest that up-regulation of these genes following exposure to Quadramet could make tumor cells more susceptible or amenable to attack by the immune system.

Based on the preclinical results, a clinical trial evaluating the effect of combining Quadramet with immunotherapy in patients with solid tumors is now in the NCI review process.

Cytogen is a biopharmaceutical company located in Princeton, N.J.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.