I read a posting yesterday under "clinical trials" regarding the use of nanoparticles to fight ovarian cancer. The post contained a cross link to the MIT-Lankenau Institute research work. FYI, I published a post yesterday at Libby's H*O*P*E* entitled, "Novel Targeted Gene Therapies Use Diphtheria Toxin To Fight Ovarian Cancer; One Clinical Trial Underway."(http://healthinfoispower.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/novel-targeted-gene-thera pies-use-diphtheria-toxin-to-fight-ovarian-cancer-future-clinical-trials-an ticipated/). My post covers the work being done by the MIT-Lankenau research team, as well as similar work being conducted by an Israeli research team.
Although it appears that the MIT-Lankenau Institute research work is still in preclinical testing, the Israeli researchers are already testing their therapy in a Phase I/II clinical trial with locations in the U.S. & Israel. All of the details are set forth in the Libby's H*O*P*E* post.
The two U.S. trial locations are Univ. of Pennsylvania (Principal Investigator: George Coukos, M.D., Ph.D., Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelpha, PA, currently recruiting) & Massey Cancer Center in Richmond, VA (Principal Investigator: Cecelia H. Boardman, M.D., not yet recruiting)
The "targeted gene therapy" being tested in the clinical trial against advanced stage ovarian cancer is referred to as DTA-H19 or BC-819 (http://www.biocancell.com/bc-819). The trial is sponsored by BioCancell Therapeutics (http://www.biocancell.com/clinical-trials/ovariantrial).
There are also three trial locations in Israel. Simply refer to the Libby's H*O*P*E* post for more details.
For those who live near Philly or Richmond, this trial may be of interest in the event that you qualify. -- Paul, Founder, Libby's H*O*P*E*.
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Targeted Gene Therapies Use Diphtheria Toxin To Fight Ovarian Cancer
- By libbyshope
- Posted August 11, 2009 at 11:21 pm · 13 replies
- In Clinical trials
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Targeted therapy Cancer Diphtheria Renal cancer Breast cancer Ovarian cancer
13 replies
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- Newest first
- By Patricia123
- Posted August 12, 2009 at 7:30 am
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Gee,,thanks for that post. I didn't know trials had started!!
- By libbyshope
- Posted August 12, 2009 at 12:44 pm
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Patricia, you're welcome. I hope the info is helpful.
- By lifeisgrand
- Posted August 12, 2009 at 1:35 pm
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OMG Paul, thank you. I just checked out your Libby's HOPE website and it looks like you've done all the work for us. I've got a lot of reading to do to catch up!
- By Dee5
- Posted August 13, 2009 at 10:57 am
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I was thrilled to read this news article. The research being done by Dr Sawicki is being supported by the Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation (Madison, NJ) of which I am a Board member.
I was not aware of the Israeli study so thanks Paul for providing that info.
- By libbyshope
- Posted August 13, 2009 at 11:33 am
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lifeisgrand (what a great account name!), I hope that in some small way the website helps ovca survivors and their families save time in gathering much needed info. This allows each woman to focus more energy on fighting the disease. Thanks for the kind words.
- By libbyshope
- Posted August 13, 2009 at 11:47 am
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Dee, I think the MIT-Lankenau team & the Israeli team are moving in the right direction with cutting-edge technology. The combination of targeted & gene therapies is simply brilliant. They have turned a once dreaded disease (diphtheria) into a formidable anticancer weapon, while leaving normal cells unaffected. The Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation funding is money well spent on Drs. Langer & Sawicki. Let's pray that the current & future trials go well.
- By lifeisgrand
- Posted August 13, 2009 at 11:48 am
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I was going for lifeisgood but it was taken. So if it's good then grand must be better :). I am trying to live in an optimistic (and humor-filled) way. Sometimes it is hard with this disease. Most people know nothing about the complexities of what we face. I've just completed my chemo so the expectations of those around me are that it is done and I will be well now. I spend time searching databases to find research that helps me keep a realistic mindset of what is ahead but there are no real answers. We just trudge along each day waiting... Hopefully there will be more some day.
Your website has so much to offer for those looking. My deepest sorrow on the lost of your beautiful cousin. Heartbreaking. I am 52 and feel young for this disease. I can't imagine how it was for her. So again, thank you.
- By Patricia123
- Posted August 13, 2009 at 8:58 pm
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THis is the most exciting news I have read in a while.
And to lifesgrand,,in an odd way this experience has made me know so many good things about life,,not just experiencing the pleasure of a good day but relishing a good talk with my granddaughters, being grateful for kindnesses and knowing that people love me. We don't think about these things as much as we should. I would of course prefer it not happened but it did and in ways has enriched me. Damn!!
- By libbyshope
- Posted August 14, 2009 at 2:17 am
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lifeisgrand: I think there is much to be said for optimism and humor in allowing one to move ahead. It is important, given the state of science, "to live to fight another day." It may sound cliche but it is true. When I see the work of Drs. Hochberg (leader of the Israeli team above), Sood (M.D. Anderson scientist working on siRNA therapies), Langer & Sawicki, it certainly gives me hope. I have researched many cancer therapies since 2002 and I have never seen developments like those made in the past 16 months. Keep in mind that statistics are a snap shot of the past. A pipeline of investigational drugs being used in clinical trials is a snap shot of the future.
Patricia: Your words are sage advice for every living person with a heartbeat. I consider this message board "sacred ground" because the words written by many women contain gems for how to live life (regardless of its length). I consider your post above & that of lifeisgrand perfect examples -- whenever possible live w/ optimism, humor, hope & appreciation of the "little things."
Keep the faith and live to fight another day.
- By lifeisgrand
- Posted August 14, 2009 at 3:43 pm
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You're so right Paul about these drugs being a snapshot of the future, our hope for a cure. Just yesterday I got an e-mail from my sister-in-law about the status of her husband's brother. He is young with three small kids and diagnosed with renal cancer. Things looked very grim. But he got in a clinical trial for a new immunotherapy drug and after 4 treatments the tumors are gone. He's got 2 more to go. This drug had about an 8% success rate but because of his age they felt he was a good candidate. The cost of his treatment is nearing $2M but he may well live to see his kids grow up. The H*O*P*E lives on!
- By libbyshope
- Posted August 14, 2009 at 5:33 pm
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lifeisgrand, the example you give about your sister-in-law's husband's brother is exactly what I'm talking about. My mom is a stage IV HER-2 breast cancer survivor. HER-2 breast cancer is the second most aggressive form of the disease. Several years ago, when she entered stage IV, she was diagnosed with multiple tumors on her liver. the targeted therapy Herceptin eliminated all of the tumors w/in 6 mos. A good example of living to fight another day.
There is a quiet revolution going on in the area of renal cell cancer. I firmly believe that the drugs used against clear cell renal cancer will ultimately be used against clear cell ovarian cancer because two studies have already identified similiar genetic signatures among multiple clear cell cancers, regardless of the body organ of origin (i.e., kidney or ovary).
You say the treatment cost is $2M. The value of seeing your kids grow up -- priceless! H*O*P*E* lives on!
- By Seooy
- Posted August 15, 2009 at 8:54 pm
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Thanks so much for the research you have done on this gene therapy clinical trial. I will read the stuff and since I live within two hours of Richmond, VA I will look into the trial. Bless you and some of us may owe many more months or years of life to you for your sharing the research information. Thanks for boosting mmine and others hopes.
- By libbyshope
- Posted August 16, 2009 at 2:05 pm
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Seooy, your welcome. And, you don't owe me anything other than to fight the good fight as best you can -- Libby would have wanted it that way. -- Best, Paul
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