News Outlet:
PR Newswire
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — EGEN, Inc. today announced that it has recently initiated a Phase I clinical trial of its novel immunotherapy agent, EGEN-001, in combination with PEGylated liposomal Doxorubicin or Lipodox for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. The EGEN-sponsored trial is conducted by a network of researchers led by Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) at member institutions under an agreement between the GOG and EGEN, Inc. Premal Thaker, M.D., M.S., of Washington University School of Medicine, is the Study Chair for the trial. "We are pleased to have this trial begin as it advances the testing of our novel EGEN-001 product with an approved second-line treatment for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer," commented Khursheed Anwer, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer for EGEN. "Long-term treatment with an immune modulating agent in conjunction with cytotoxic agents is a promising approach to combating difficult to treat cancers."
The product utilizes the Company's proprietary TheraPlas® delivery technology and is composed of interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene formulated with a biocompatible delivery polymer. IL-12 is a potent cytokine which works by enhancing the body's immune system against cancer and inhibiting tumor blood supply. EGEN-001 product is currently being examined as a single agent in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents following cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC therapy in colorectal cancer.