Oncothyreon has filed an INDA with the FDA for PX-866, a small molecule phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3-kinase) inhibitor for the treatment of advanced cancers. The compound has been shown to have good single agent in vivo antitumor activity and works well in combination with other agents in a number of human tumor models, the company said. Following FDA review, the company plans to initiate a Phase I clinical trial.

Data presented by Celldex Therapeutics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AVANT Immunotherapeutics, from its Phase 2 ACT II study in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) indicated that temozolomide, the standard chemotherapy agent for this disease, may potentiate the effect of AVANT’s vaccine candidate, CDX-110. All patients vaccinated with CDX-110 in the Phase 2a ACT II extension study showed a tumor-specific immune response, a significant improvement over previous vaccines and over CDX-110 alone.

Pre-clinical studies conducted by Yale scientists have indicated that the NV-128 compound can induce the death of chemo-resistant ovarian cancer cells by halting the activation of a protein pathway called mTOR. mTOR signals enhance tumor growth in cancerous cells and inhibition of mTOR could shut down many of these survival pathways, including proteins that protect the mitochondria of cancer cells. NV-128, developed by Novogen Limited, holds promise as a more targeted therapy for ovarian cancer because it works differently from traditional therapies that are dependent on enzymes, known as caspases, to trigger cell death.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers say that a rare genetic cancer syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), was detected with the help of full-body PET/CT scanning. Earlier, there were no screening tests recommended for the condition. According to the research, periodic scans, along with physical exams, would be able to detect more tumours at a curable stage than was possible earlier.