( LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 16 2...)Introgen Presents ADVEXIN Biomarker Data at Major Cancer Conference,Health

Abnormality of the p53 tumor suppressor is one of the most common and fundamental molecular defects in cancer. ADVEXIN's mechanism of action is targeted to restoring p53 tumor suppressor function and the detection of abnormal p53 is a logical predictive biomarker for ADVEXIN efficacy. In a study of 28 recurrent head and neck cancer patients in Phase 2 clinical trials, abnormal p53 was shown to correlate with increased survival and tumor responses following ADVEXIN treatment.

The median survival of patients with tumors expressing the abnormal p53 biomarker was 11.6 months compared to only 3.5 months in patients whose tumors had normal p53. The association between the abnormal p53 biomarker and increased survival following ADVEXIN therapy was highly statistically significant (p=0.0007).

The abnormal p53 biomarker was also associated with a statistically significant increase in tumor responses to ADVEXIN therapy. A reduction in tumor size was observed in 40 percent of patients with the abnormal p53 biomarker compared to none (zero percent) of patients with p53 normal tumors. In addition, tumor growth control lasting for a minimum of two treatment cycles was observed in 75 percent of patients with abnormal p53 tumors compared to 27 percent of patients with a normal p53 biomarker. Both the increased reduction in tumor size and tumor growth control associated with the abnormal p53 biomarker were statistically significant (p=0.02).

Importantly, patients with abnormal p53 tumors are known to have poor responses and survival following standard treatments. These patients have the greatest need for new therapies and they achieved the most benefit from ADVEXIN t
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