CP461 Trial Results Released Early, Good Effects In CLL

[Guest guest]

reported the start of this phase II trial

on August 7, 2001. The company announced at that time

that phase II trials would start for CP461 in CLL. It

said that trial results would be released after three

months.

These results were released only two months after

trials were started.

Cell Pathways Boosts Dosage in Leukemia Drug Test Last

Pharmaceutical company Cell Pathways Inc. announced on

Tuesday that an experimental drug, CP461, cut the

levels of lymphocytes in 60% of patients in a phase II

trial for CLL. The company is planning on adding

patients to the clinical trials, and boosting the dose

of the drug.

Nine of 15 patients benefitted from the drug when

given at a dose of 200 milligrams twice per day for

four to 14 weeks. Six patients experienced

significant lymphocyte reductions of between 30 and 48

percent. Phase I trials established the safety of

doses up to 800 milligrams per day.

The company said that the drug showed 'very

encouraging' results in pre-clinical studies of cell

lines and in animal models. There it showed

'substantial potency' as an cancer treatment,

according to a company spokesman.

CP461 is the company's second selective apoptotic

anti-neoplastic drug. It is also in clinical trials

for renal cell carcinoma and hormone-refractory

prostate cancer.

www.cellpathways.com

__________________________________________________