Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Interim Data for SNS-595 Single-Agent Activity in Platinum-Resistant Ovar...( SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO Calif. March ...),Health

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNSS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small-molecule therapeutics, today announced positive interim data from the company's ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of its lead product candidate, SNS-595, in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients.

In this Phase 2 clinical trial, single agent SNS-595 has demonstrated disease control (defined as stable disease, partial response or complete response) in 31 of 35 patients evaluable for best response using GOG-RECIST criteria. Of these 31 patients, one patient had a complete response, four patients had partial responses (two unconfirmed) and 26 patients had a best response of stable disease. All patients enrolled in the trial have previously failed treatment with platinum-containing regimens, and fourteen of the 35 patients have also failed prior treatment with doxorubicin HCl liposome injection (Doxil(R)). Both platinum-resistant and Doxil-resistant patients in the Phase 2 clinical trial have responded to SNS-595 therapy.

"Recurrence rates among ovarian cancer patients remain high, and the majority of refractory patients are resistant to platinum-based therapies. Based on these interim data, SNS-595 appears to be a promising, active agent in a difficult-to-treat ovarian cancer patient population," said William P. McGuire, M.D., Medical Director of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Cancer Institute at Franklin Square, and a lead investigator for the Phase 2 trial.

Among forty-five patients with sufficient follow-up to yield safety data, SNS-595 was generally well tolerated at a dose level of 48mg/m2
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