Anti-Cancer Drug CYT997 Update( MELBOURNE Australia March 12 /- C...),Health

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cytopia Limited (ASX: CYT) has commenced dosing patients in the first of a suite of Phase II clinical studies for its vascular disrupting agent (VDA), CYT997. These studies will investigate the activity of this anti-cancer compound in specific cancer types with high unmet medical need and poor prognoses.

VDAs are a new class of drugs to treat cancer and have potential for "blockbuster" sales in the treatment of vascularized tumors. CYT997 has a dual mechanism of action shutting down established blood vessels that supply the tumor with nutrients and oxygen and also direct cytotoxic properties. Capable of being delivered orally as well as intravenously, the compound was discovered by Cytopia scientists in 2003 and an Investigational New Drug application was accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2005 to commence Phase I studies.
During the 2008 financial year Cytopia has:

-- commenced dosing in its first Phase II study

-- finalized preparations for its second Phase II study

-- concluded its first Phase I safety and tolerability study with

intravenous administration

-- continued dose-escalation in its Phase I capsule dosing study (oral

administration)

Phase II clinical programs

1. Phase II trial in multiple myeloma Cytopia commenced dosing in its first Phase II efficacy study in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in January 2008, some four months after conclusion of its initial Phase I study. The Phase II study is a two- stage design with an interim clinical activity analysis after 14 patients and maximum enrolment of 24 patients. Enrolment into this efficacy study is progressing on schedule and Cytopia anticipates undertaking interim data analysis by September this year.

This clinical study follows an extensive body of preclinical studies, including studies in cells from heavily pre-tr
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