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Press Release Source: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals
Monday April 18, 8:00 am ET
- EOquin(TM) Enhances the Effects of Radiation Therapy in Controlling Tumor Growth In Animal Models
IRVINE, Calif., April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPPI - News) today announced that data, from a study conducted by Dr. Randy Burd at the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, was presented on EOquin(TM) at the 96th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Anaheim, California over the weekend.
EOquin(TM) (apaziquone)
Many tumors grow under conditions of reduced oxygen tension (hypoxia). This makes them insensitive or resistant to treatment by radiation (X-rays). EOquin(TM), a pro-drug, becomes a cytotoxic alkylating agent in the presence of an enzyme that is present in greater amounts in hypoxic cancer cells. In clinical studies conducted to date, EOquin(TM) has shown good efficacy in treating patients with refractory superficial bladder cancer. The study presented here investigated the effect of radiation therapy when combined with locally injected EOquin(TM). (Abstract #1454)
Glioblastoma cells (a brain tumor) were grown in nude mice. Tumor growth rates were compared in four groups of animals. These groups being: animals that received no treatment, or treatment with EOquin(TM) alone, radiation alone, and EOquin(TM) given together with radiation.
The results indicate that EOquin(TM) combined with irradiation slows tumor growth more efficiently than if either of the two treatments was given alone. The drug did not cause weight loss or serious adverse reactions in any of the animals. The investigators conclude that EOquin(TM) should be explored as a drug to enhance the effectiveness of radiation.
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, EOquin's(TM) ability to enhance the effectiveness of radiation, 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 results in animal models will not be indicative of results in humans, 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 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.
Contacts:
Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D.,
CEO and President
(949) 743-9295
Laurie Little
Director, Investor Relations
(949) 743-9216
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Source: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals