( o work by targetingthe tumor and its v...)Merck at ASCO 2007: Encouraging Results in Progression-Free,Survival in Patients With Aggressive Brain Tumors (glioblastoma),Using Cilengitide in Phase I/IIa Study,Health

Integrins are cell surface receptors that are improperly regulated in many cancer types which enables them to enhance tumor growth, survival and invasiveness. Integrins are fundamental in the process of angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) – a process that is essential for tumors as it enables them to grow past a finite size.

In addition to the Merck KGaA-initiated studies, the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring a number of clinical trials under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Merck KGaA for the development of cilengitide. An initial Phase I/II study in adult high-grade glioma (including glioblastoma) patients showed encouraging results.(5) Seven NCI-sponsored studies with cilengitide monotherapy in various tumor types, including newly diagnosed glioblastoma, recurrent glioblastoma in adults and recurrent brain tumors in children are currently ongoing. An additional NCI sponsored Phase II trial combining cilengitide with radiotherapy and temozolomide in patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma is also ongoing.

Merck KGaA has an ongoing commitment to the advancement of oncology treatment and is currently investigating novel therapies in highly targeted areas, such as the use of Erbitux in colorectal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and non-small cell lung cancer. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, licensed the right to market Erbitux outside the US and Canada from ImClone Systems Incorporated of New York in 1998. In Japan, Merck KGaA has co-exclusive marketing rights with ImClone Systems. Merck KGaA has also acquired the rights for the cancer treatment UFT® (tegafur-uracil) – an oral chemotherapy administered with folinic acid (FA) for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Merck KGaA is also investigating among other cancer treatments the use of Stimuvax® (formerly referred to as BLP25 Li
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