BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Light Sciences Oncology, Inc. (LSO) today announced the treatment of the first patient in an investigator-sponsored Phase 1 pediatric study of its novel light-activated drug Aptocine(TM) (talaporfin sodium) in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). Investigators at the Neurofibromatosis/Neuro-Oncology Clinic of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) treated a pediatric patient with NF-1 and plexiform neurofibromas (PN) using Aptocine, which is also in late-stage development for solid tumors. The Neurofibromatosis/Neuro-Oncology Clinic is a program providing care and treatment for children with brain tumors and children with NF-1 and severe and/or life-threatening tumors. Michael Fisher, M.D., at CHOP’s Division of Oncology, is the principal investigator of the study.
The goal of the study is to enroll 18-24 patients between 3 and 21 years of age with debilitating, severely disfiguring, life-threatening, or progressive PN tumors that are not surgically resectable, and for which no other standard medical management exists. Complete information on the study is available at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier: NCT00716469.
About Aptocine
Aptocine is a water-soluble drug activated by a small, single-use, disposable drug activator included with the drug. The drug activator contains a tiny array of LEDs at the end of a very narrow (only 1.2 mm wide) flexible coated micro-wire. Administering physicians insert the LED array into a tumor using a biopsy-like procedure and follow with the intravenous injection of Aptocine. When the LEDs activate Aptocine, an energized Aptocine molecule results in the production of singlet oxygen, which can kill target tissues with minimal side effects through vascular closure and apoptosis.
About the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Its Neurofibromatosis Program
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, Children’s Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu. The Neurofibromatosis (NF) Program is a clinical center for the diagnosis and treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1, providing surveillance and treatment of NF-related problems.
Aptocine(TM), Litx(TM), and Light Infusion Therapy(TM) are trademarks of Light Sciences Oncology, Inc.
SOURCE Light Sciences Oncology, Inc.
CONTACT: Llew Keltner, M.D., Ph.D., President & CEO, +1-425-957-8940,
dr_llew@lsoncology.com, or Robert M. Littauer, Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer & Treasurer, +1-425-957-8946, bobl@lsoncology.com, both
of Light Sciences Oncology, Inc.; or Rachel Salis-Silverman, Media
Relations Specialist, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP),
+1-267-426-6063, salis@email.chop.edu
Web site: http://www.lsoncology.com/
