LA JOLLA, Calif., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
today announced that it has initiated a second Phase III clinical trial of the
matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitor prinomastat (formerly AG3340) in
combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung
cancer. In preclinical models, prinomastat has been shown to potently inhibit
angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels which feed growing tumors),
tumor invasion, and metastasis. This trial is designed to evaluate the safety
and efficacy of prinomastat as part of first-line therapy in combination with
chemotherapy, an effort led by ongoing Phase III clinical trials. This trial
advances the ongoing clinical development of prinomastat in combination with
anticancer drugs paclitaxel/carboplatin for the treatment of advanced
non-small cell lung cancer, and with mitoxantrone/prednisone for the treatment
of hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
In a study being conducted at sites in North America, Europe, and
Australia, patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer will be
randomized to receive either prinomastat (tablet form) in combination with
gemcitabine and cisplatin or placebo in combination with gemcitabine and
cisplatin. The primary objective of this study is to compare time of overall
survival between patients receiving prinomastat or placebo in combination with
gemcitabine and cisplatin.
The most common side effects of prinomastat have been observed in the
joints, and include joint stiffness, joint swelling, and in a few patients,
some limits on the mobility of certain joints, most often in the shoulders and
hands. All of these effects were reported reversible and were effectively
managed by treatment rests and dose reductions.
Prinomastat is an orally active, synthetic molecule designed to potently
and selectively inhibit certain members of a family of enzymes known as matrix
metalloproteases that are believed to be involved in tumor angiogenesis,
invasion and metastasis. Agouron is also conducting preclinical evaluation of
additional MMP inhibitors with selectivity profiles distinct from that of
prinomastat.
For more information on clinical trials in non-small cell lung and
hormone-refractory prostate cancers utilizing the investigational drug
prinomastat, dial toll-free 1-888-849-6482.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world.
The American Cancer Society estimates there will be approximately 171,600 new
cases of lung cancer in 1999 in the U.S. Lung cancer will account for about
14% of all new cancer diagnoses, and about 28% of all cancer-related deaths.
Agouron, a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner-Lambert Company
(NYSE: WLA), is an integrated pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery,
development and commercialization of drugs for treatment of cancer, viral
diseases, and diseases of the eye.
SOURCE Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.agouron.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/019650.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 019650
CONTACT:
Joy Schmitt, Associate Director, Product
Public Relations of Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 858-622-3220
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