Avalon initiates phase II trial of AVN944 in pancreatic cancer

Publication
Article
Oncology NEWS InternationalOncology NEWS International Vol 16 No 8
Volume 16
Issue 8

Avalon initiates phase II trial of AVN944 in pancreatic cancer

GERMANTOWN, Maryland—Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has initiated a phase II clinical trial of AVN944 in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar) in patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer. After a dose-escalation phase, approximately 110 to 120 patients will be enrolled in an efficacy and safety phase. AVN944 is an oral small molecule agent that inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), an enzyme that is critical for cells to be able to synthesize guanosine triphosphate (GTP), a molecule required for DNA synthesis and cellular signaling.

Articles in this issue
Avoiding copay shock
Induction chemo increases survival in unresectable NSCLC
Superselective chemo strategies for HCC
'Value meal dosing' of lapatinib is proposed
AMA approves CPT code for Axxent electronic brachytherapy
Zevalin/R after CHOP-R doubles CRs in follicular NHL
Active surveillance with delayed treatment appears to be a safe option for younger men with low-risk prostate cancer
RT plus local paclitaxel gel promising in esophageal ca
GeneSearch BLN Assay gets FDA approval for node assessment during surgery
TH vs TCH in metastatic breast cancer: 'Take your pick'
Sunitinib prolongs PFS in RCC: update
Diagnostic Dilemma: GI Disease
ACS studies link patients' insurance status to cancer outcomes
Novel MAGE-A3 immunotherapeutic promising as adjuvant therapy of early-stage non-small-cell lung ca
US consumers are shielded from the cost of healthcare
Recent Videos
Genetic consultation and next-generation sequencing can also complement treatment strategies for patients with pancreatic cancer.
An advanced computation linguistics model that can detect pancreatic cysts can help patients prevent pancreatic tumors from forming.
Immunotherapy options like CAR T-cell therapy and antigen-presenting cell-directed agents are currently being evaluated in the pancreatic cancer field.
Pancreatic cancer is projected to become the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030 in the United States.
Differences in pancreatic cancer responses to treatment elicits a need to better educate patients on expectations in treatment, particularly chemotherapy.
Increasing patient awareness of modifiable risk factors for pancreatic cancer may help mitigate incidence of pancreatic cancers.
It may be crucial to test every patient for markers such as BRAF V600E mutations, NRG1 fusions, and KRAS G12C mutations to help manage pancreatic cancers.
Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, MD, emphasizes the idea of moving targeted therapies to earlier lines of treatment to further improve outcomes in pancreatic cancer.
As patients are nearing the end of life, different management strategies, such as opioids, may be needed to help mitigate pain or fatigue.
Kelley A. Rone, DNP, RN, AGNP-c, highlights the importance of having end-of-life discussions early in a patient’s cancer treatment course.
Related Content
A computational linguistics model has mitigated disparities in surveillance of the pancreas that primarily affected racial and ethnic minorities.

Bridging Racial and Ethnic Minority Disparities in Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance

Russell C. Langan, MD
November 25th 2024
Article

A computational linguistics model has mitigated disparities in surveillance of the pancreas that primarily affected racial and ethnic minorities.

Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, MD, provides an overview of current therapy options and ongoing initiatives involving targetable alterations in those with pancreatic cancer.

Advancing Research and Targeting Genomic Alterations in Pancreatic Cancer

Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, MD, FACP
November 25th 2024
Podcast

Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, MD, provides an overview of current therapy options and ongoing initiatives involving targetable alterations in those with pancreatic cancer.

The incorporation of palliative care specific to mental health services and therapy remains underutilized in the care of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Palliative Care May Improve Mental Health in Pancreatic Cancer Diagnoses

Gina Mauro
November 19th 2024
Article

The incorporation of palliative care specific to mental health services and therapy remains underutilized in the care of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Kelley A. Rone, DNP, RN, AGNP-c, provides perspective on approaching end-of-life conversations with patients with GI cancers.

Educating Patients and Clinicians on End-of-Life Care and Discussions

Kelley A. Rone, DNP, RN, AGNP-c
November 11th 2024
Podcast

Kelley A. Rone, DNP, RN, AGNP-c, provides perspective on approaching end-of-life conversations with patients with GI cancers.

Casting a Wide NET: When Is the Optimal Time for 177Lu-Dotatate Treatment?

Casting a Wide NET: When Is the Optimal Time for 177Lu-Dotatate Treatment?

Natasha Bahri, MD, MS;Christiana Crook, MS;Daneng Li, MD
November 12th 2024
Article

Given that well-differentiated grade 3 NETs are relatively new, standard-of-care treatment options are undefined.

The 18-month overall survival rate with the mitazalimab combination in OPTIMIZE-1 exceeds a historical rate achieved with FOLFIRINOX alone.

Mitazalimab Combo Yields Meaningful Survival Benefit in Metastatic PDAC

Russ Conroy
November 7th 2024
Article

The 18-month overall survival rate with the mitazalimab combination in OPTIMIZE-1 exceeds a historical rate achieved with FOLFIRINOX alone.