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VION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.announced today that it had entered into an agreement with the Dutch-Belgian Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology Oncology (the "HOVON") to conduct a clinical trial of laromustine (Cloretazine(R) (VNP40101M)
NEW HAVEN, CT, USA | August 19, 2008 | VION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (Pink Sheets: VION - News) announced today that it had entered into an agreement with the Dutch-Belgian Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology Oncology (the "HOVON") to conduct a clinical trial of laromustine (Cloretazine® (VNP40101M)) with standard remission-induction therapy in patients aged 18-65 with previously untreated acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplasia (MDS).
Alan Kessman, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to be working with HOVON, one of the most prestigious clinical groups in hematology oncology. We continue to believe that Cloretazine® will have broad utility in the treatment of hematological malignancies as both a single agent and in combination with other therapies. This trial will provide important data with regard to Cloretazine®'s utility in the treatment of AML when given in combination with standard remission-induction therapy for this devastating disease."
Dr. Bob Lowenberg, Chief Investigator of HOVON, said, "HOVON is focusing on the clinical development of new therapeutic options for patients with leukemia. Laromustine is a promising agent for that effort."
The trial has been designed as a Phase III study in two parts. Part A will determine the feasibility (based on safety and preliminary effectiveness) of laromustine administration at three possible dose levels in combination with cytarabine and idarubicin. Part A will also evaluate the pharmacokinetics and the clinical efficacy of the laromustine combination.
Part B is then designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the laromustine combination versus two cycles of cytarabine and idarubicin without laromustine with regard to clinical outcome ("event free survival"), the complete remission rate, disease free survival (DFS), risk of relapse and overall survival (OS), as well as the tolerance and toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of the combination.
The trial is expected to start this fall and will be conducted at various sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway.
About Vion
Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is committed to extending the lives and improving the quality of life of cancer patients worldwide by developing and commercializing innovative cancer therapeutics. Vion has two agents in clinical trials. Laromustine (Cloretazine® (VNP40101M)), a unique alkylating agent, is being evaluated in a Phase II pivotal trial as a single agent in elderly patients with previously untreated de novo poor-risk acute myelogenous leukemia. Clinical trials of Cloretazine® (VNP40101M) with cytarabine in elderly patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, with temozolomide in brain tumors, and with stem cell transplantation in advanced hematologic malignancies, are also being conducted. Triapine®, a potent inhibitor of a key step in DNA synthesis, is being evaluated in clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. For additional information on Vion and its product development programs, visit the Company's Internet web site at www.vionpharm.com.
About HOVON
HOVON is a Dutch-Belgian cooperative clinical trial group in hematology oncology with a strong clinical development program in leukemia, malignant lymphomas and multiple myeloma. The HOVON group works with several other countries in Europe and has a long-standing track record with trials in acute leukemia. A distinct part of its clinical trials concerns the analysis of biological variables of the disease in relation to treatment outcome.
SOURCE: VION PHARMACEUTICALS, |
