TDM-1 article from NYT

jenrio

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/business/a-new-class-of-cancer-drugs-may-be-less-toxic.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

"Seattle Genetics and ImmunoGen use toxins that are hundreds of times as potent as typical chemotherapy agents. They are too toxic to be given by themselves.

The linkers have proved even trickier to develop since they must keep the toxin attached to the antibody while in the bloodstream, but then release the toxin inside the cancer cell."

Antibody by themselves are not highly effective against tumors (eliminated in phase I/II clinical trials).   A lot of powerful toxins are eliminated in phase I trial due to toxicity concerns.  

Hence the need to arm antibodies with some powerful toxins.   But with the effectiveness of TDM-1 and adcelis proven even half proven, there will be hundreds of new antibodies/toxin combos tested.   I hope there will be effective anti-body for every type of cancer, and the mechanism of loading/target/unloading can be finessed.   I hope they are able to do clinical trials fast and get onto the market soon!

voraciousreader

On the news last night, medical journalist Robert Bazell who wrote the book about Dr. Slamon and the discovery of Herception and how it was brought to market, referred to TMD-1 as the new " super Herceptin."



This week is the annual ASCO meeting. We will hopefully be receiving exciting news about the progress in all types of cancer treatments.