How does ARIAD's Ponatinib (Iclusig) Work

Mechanism of Action Series: Ponatinib

Ariad Pharmaceuticals' leukemia drug ponatinib has been in the news lately for major toxicity fears that can potentially derail its further clinical development. While these issues will be sorted out in coming months, it's a good time to review how does this drug work.

Ponatinib is a pan-inhibitor of native and T315I mutant forms of BCR-ABL kinase.

The Effect of US Congressional Tantrums on Science

Here is one snapshot of what their childish behavior can do. (Let's hope the next generation of congressmen and congresswomen are smarter than this bunch.)

How Does AR Antagonist ARN-509 Work

Mechanism of Action Series: ARN 509

ARN-509 is an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor currently in phase 2 clinical trial for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).  How does ARN-509 work to block prostate cancer cells is described below.

FDA Approves Abraxane for Pancreatic Cancer

ABRAXANE® (generic name: nab-paclitaxel) was approved by the FDA as first-line therapy for the metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas when used in combination with gemcitabine. The approval of ABRAXANE is a major development in pancreatic cancer care and is expected to replace gemcitabine alone as a new standard of care for pancreatic cancer. 

List of Inspirational Cancer Blogs at "Navigating Cancer" Website

Cancer can affect any organ but the underlying biology and signaling may have strong similarities. Thus one drug targeting a particular signaling pathway may work in multiple cancers.

But patients and their family often seek experiences that relate specifically to them. Someone who has kidney cancer would want to know how another kidney cancer patient is coping with such unexpected and unwanted diagnosis. They may be less interested in the experiences of those with stomach or colon cancer even though the molecular drivers may be similar.

BRCA Freed from Myriad's Patents, Supreme Court Rules

The Supreme Court in a 9-0 ruling invalidated Myriad's patents on BRCA opening up the field for cheaper testing for the breast cancer risk genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Myriad was criticized for selling $3000 tests and blocking mon-n-pop University labs to run similar tests at fraction of the cost.

GSK Receives FDA Approval for Melanoma Drugs Dabrafenib and Trametinib

The approval of two new melanoma drugs TAFINLAR^® (dabrafenib) and MEKINIST™ (trametinib) by the FDA this week is timely for melanoma patients whose tumors often develop resistance to other targeted therapies, such as Zelboraf. 

Dabrafenib is indicated for patients with BRAF V600E mutation. Another drug, vemurafenib (aka ZELBORAF) by Genentech which was approved in January 2011 also targets the same protein. BRAF V600E is an always-on signaling protein found in majority of melanomas. (Read more about vemurafenib or BRAF V600E here.)

The second drug, trametinib is the first MEK inhibitor to be approved for melanoma.  Unlike dabrafenib or vemurafenib, this drug's target is downstream of BRAF kinase and, thus trametinib can complement the other two drugs in clinical practice. Both drugs will be available by prescription in Fall 2013.

Antiangiogenic Agent Thalidomide No Good in Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma is invariably fatal cancer with options that are largely supportive in nature. The current first-line chemotherapy regimens including pemetrexed with or without cisplatin or carboplatin do not provide long-term survival. This cancer is highly angiogenic and thus preclinical and early data supported the use of anti-angiogenic agent thalidomide.

However, a recent clinical trial published in this month's issue of the journal Lancet Oncology shows that thalidomide when added to chemotherapy does not provide any additional benefit.  

The Specter of Rising Cancer Deaths in Latin America and Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean are the next hotspots of cancer-related deaths in the world and countries in this region are woefully ill-prepared to face this growing epidemic. A report by Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group (LACOG) presented at the LACOG Conference 2013 on April 26-27, 2013, at Sao Paulo, Brazil, put these facts in depressing hard numbers: currently 13 people of 22 diagnosed with cancer die in Latin America and the Caribbean in contrast to 13 of 37 in US or 13 of 30 in Europe. This translates to 59% of cancer patients dying of cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean compared to 35% in US or 43% in EU.

Upcoming meeting: Tumor Models, Boston, July 23-25, 2013

Better Preclinical Models. Better Predictions. Better Patient Response.

Tumor Models gives you the tools to develop and utilize the very best preclinical oncology models. 

This is a meeting for drug developers who are looking for answers to the difficulties faced with preclinical oncology models that are currently being used to test new cancer drugs. This is a forum to learn what you really need to know about the models pharma are using that are superior in predicting efficacy and mimicking tumor activity in patients. It’s also the best way to identify what preclinical questions need to be answered and make the best possible translational decisions. Decisions that will lead to more effective drug performance in the clinic.