IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that data from a study conducted by Dr. N.V. Rajeshkumar, from the University of Illinois at Chicago, on SPI-1620, was presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics: Discovery, Biology, and Clinical Applications Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Data published in the abstract clearly shows that SPI-1620 significantly enhances the efficacy of paclitaxel. Animals treated with SPI-1620 followed by treatment with paclitaxel 15 minutes later showed better efficacy when compared to control animals in terms of tumor volume, progression and complete regression. In fact, only SPI-1620-treated groups showed complete regression. The study demonstrates that SPI-1620 could be used as a tumor selective vasodilator to enhance delivery and efficacy of paclitaxel and other chemotherapeutic agents.
In addition, this information is contained in the current issue of a peer reviewed journal, "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment," which published a research article entitled "Endothelin B receptor agonist, IRL-1620, enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of paclitaxel in breast tumor rats."
"We are pleased to announce both the presentation at the AACR-NCI-EORTC meeting and the publication of this proof-of-principle data in a reputed journal," stated Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. "In addition to the enhanced delivery of paclitaxel to breast tumors as shown in this publication, we now have evidence that this approach is applicable to the delivery of other cancer drugs in other cancer models. We look forward to moving this product into the clinic in 2006."
About SPI-1620
SPI-1620 is an endothelin B agonist that stimulates receptors on endothelial cells, the innermost layer of cells lining the blood vessels, to selectively dilate blood vessels in the tumor, resulting in a transient increase in blood flow and a consequent increase in the delivery of anti-cancer drugs, such as paclitaxel, to the tumor, as shown in animal studies to date.
About Spectrum Pharmaceuticals
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the business of acquiring, developing and commercializing prescription drug products for the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs. By leveraging its operational flexibility and regulatory proficiency, and using the extensive research and development capabilities of its strategic alliance partners, Spectrum has built a diversified portfolio of proprietary and generic drug products in various stages of development and regulatory approval. For more information, please visit our website at www.spectrumpharm.com.
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements include but are not limited to statements that relate to our business and its future, the Company's operational flexibility and regulatory proficiency, the extensive research and development capabilities of the Company's strategic alliance partners, SPI-1620's ability to be used as a tumor selective vasodilator to enhance delivery and efficacy of paclitaxel and other chemotherapeutic agents, moving SPI-1620 into the clinic in 2006 and any statements that relate to the intent, belief, plans or expectations of Spectrum or its management, or that are not a statement of historical fact. Risks that could cause actual results to differ include the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, may not prove safe or effective, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates may not receive approval from the FDA, and other regulatory agencies in a timely manner or at all, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, if approved, may not be more effective, safer or more cost efficient than competing drugs, the possibility that past results are not indicative of future results the possibility that price and other competitive pressures may make the marketing and sale of our generic drugs not commercially feasible, the possibility that our efforts to acquire or in-license and develop additional drug candidates may fail, our lack of revenues, our limited experience in establishing strategic alliances, our limited marketing experience, our limited experience with the generic drug industry, our dependence on third parties for clinical trials, manufacturing, distribution and quality control and other risks that are described in further detail in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: Laurie Little Sr. Director, Investor Relations (949) 743-9216
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.CONTACT: Laurie Little, Sr. Director, Investor Relations of SpectrumPharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-949-743-9216
Web site: http://www.spectrumpharm.com/
