Abbott to Present Data on Novel Cancer Treatments at American Society of Clinical Oncology Annu...(3.5hours. In seven out of 20 cases (35 p...),Health

In a separate analysis, the effects of ABT-869 on biomarkers of angiogenesis were evaluated. Correlations of dose and pharmacokinetics of ABT-869, with serum biomarkers, tumor DCE-MRI tracer kinetics, proteinuria and hypertension were assessed. Results appeared to indicate that ABT-869 induced dose-dependent changes in serum biomarkers are consistent with anti-angiogenic activity. However, these serum biomarkers had limited value in predicting safety, i.e., proteinuria or hypertension. The utility of tumor flow and permeability changes on DCE-MRI in predicting proteinuria should be further examined. Updated information will be presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

Background on Abbott's Oncology Pipeline

Bcl-2 Family Protein Inhibitors (ABT-263)

Researchers have been interested in the Bcl-2 family of proteins since their role in preventing apoptosis -- the natural process by which damaged or unwanted cells die and are cleared from the body -- was proven more than a decade ago. Discovered by Abbott scientists, ABT-263 restores programmed cell death, a natural mechanism for the elimination of cancerous cells, by inhibiting the function of Bcl-2 proteins.

Bcl-2 proteins play a central role in regulating apoptosis, as well as tumor formation, tumor growth and resistance to treatment. Pioneering work in structural biology at Abbott established how the Bcl-2 family proteins interact with one another, leading researchers to develop a novel compound that causes cancer cells to self-destruct.

ABT-263 is in Phase I/II clinical trials for lymphomas and solid tumors, including small cell lung cancer. Preclinical data has shown that Abbott's Bcl-2 family protein inhibitors bind to Bc
'/>"/>