• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Manufacturing
    • Packaging
    • Development
    • Compliance
    • Top 25
    • Directory
    • Microsites
    • Events
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Manufacturing
  • Packaging
  • Development
  • Compliance
  • Top 25
  • Directory
  • Microsites
  • Events
  • Current / Back Issue
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    High Drug Loading Amorphous Solid Dispersions

    Parenteral Drug Delivery Trends

    Selecting the Right Outsourcing Model for Emerging Biotech

    Inhaled Drug Delivery Technology

    The Future of Biologics: Accelerating Production, Reducing Costs
    Breaking News
    Online Exclusives
    Industry News
    Collaborations & Alliances
    Promotions & Moves
    Trials & Filings
    Financial Reports
    Bio News & Views
    Custom Sourcing News
    Packaging & Tracking
    CRO News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    J&J’s Single-Dose COVID-19 Vax Issued EUA

    Icon to Acquire PRA Health Sciences

    Phlow Corp. and USP Form Alliance

    BMS Expands Cell Therapy Manufacturing Capabilities

    Novo Nordisk Invests $80M in Tablet Production
    APIs
    Aseptic Processing
    Cleaning Validation
    Clinical Trial Materials
    Cytotoxics and High Potency Manufacturing
    Equipment
    Excipients
    Extractables and Leachables
    Facilities
    Fill/Finish
    Lyophilization
    Parenterals
    Process Development
    Process Validation
    Risk Management
    Scale-up/ Technology Transfer
    Solid Dosage/ Creams/ Ointments

    BMS Expands Cell Therapy Manufacturing Capabilities

    Novo Nordisk Invests $80M in Tablet Production

    Arcline Investment Acquires ChargePoint Technology

    Solid Dose Market Trends

    CatSci Opens New Site in UK
    Capsules
    Cold Chain Management
    Injectables
    Logistics
    Serialization
    Solid Dosage / Semi-solids
    Supply Chain
    Vials

    Reshaping the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

    Covectra Introduces Next-Gen Serialization Solution

    Bormioli Opens New Glass Research Center

    Centrient Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Astral SteriTech

    Seasonal Vaccine Manufacturing
    Analytical Services
    Bioanalytical Services
    Bioassay Developement
    Biologics, Proteins, Vaccines
    Biosimilars
    Chemistry
    Clinical Trials
    Drug Delivery
    Drug Development
    Drug Discovery
    Formulation Development
    Information Technology
    Laboratory Testing
    Methods Development
    Microbiology
    Preclinical Outsourcing
    R&D
    Toxicology

    Icon to Acquire PRA Health Sciences

    BMS Expands Cell Therapy Manufacturing Capabilities

    Ashfield Engage, Popit Form Digital Monitoring Collaboration

    AMRI Contributes to Efforts to Increase COVID-19 Vax Supply

    CatSci Opens New Site in UK
    Filtration & Purification
    GMPs/GCPs
    Inspections
    QA/QC
    Regulatory Affairs
    Validation

    Guide to Maintaining Validation of Older Facilities: Why, When and How

    The Year of COVID: How FDA Coped with a Worldwide Pandemic in 2020 and What to Expect in 2021

    Top BioPharma Form Accumulus Synergy

    Global Biosciences Co. Selects ValGenesis VLMS

    Gene Therapy Co. Selects ValGenesis' SaaS Platform
    Companies
    Categories
    Corporate Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Contract Service Directory Companies
    Syngene

    Reed-Lane

    Aphena Pharma Solutions

    Alcami

    Emergent BioSolutions
    Companies
    News Releases
    Posters
    Brochures
    Services
    Videos
    Case Study
    White Papers
    Jobs
    Contract Service Directory Companies
    Alcami

    Reed-Lane

    Flow Sciences

    PCI Pharma Services

    Emergent BioSolutions
    Webinars
    Live From Shows
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issue
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
      • Enewsletter Archive
      • Digital Edition
    • Directory
      • Companies
      • Categories
      • Corporate Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Manufacturing
      • APIs
      • Aseptic Processing
      • Cleaning Validation
      • Clinical Trial Materials
      • Cytotoxics and High Potency Manufacturing
      • Equipment
      • Excipients
      • Extractables and Leachables
      • Facilities
      • Fill/Finish
      • Lyophilization
      • Parenterals
      • Process Development
      • Process Validation
      • Risk Management
      • Scale-up/ Technology Transfer
      • Solid Dosage/ Creams/ Ointments
      • cGMP Manufacture
    • Packaging
      • Capsules
      • Cold Chain Management
      • Injectables
      • Logistics
      • Serialization
      • Solid Dosage / Semi-solids
      • Supply Chain
      • Vials
    • Development
      • Analytical Services
      • Bioanalytical Services
      • Bioassay Developement
      • Biologics, Proteins, Vaccines
      • Biosimilars
      • Chemistry
      • Clinical Trials
      • Drug Delivery
      • Drug Development
      • Drug Discovery
      • Formulation Development
      • Information Technology
      • Laboratory Testing
      • Methods Development
      • Microbiology
      • Preclinical Outsourcing
      • R&D
      • Toxicology
    • Compliance
      • Filtration & Purification
      • GMPs/GCPs
      • Inspections
      • QA/QC
      • Regulatory Affairs
      • Validation
    • Top 25 Pharma & BioPharma
    • Contract Pharma Direct
    • Breaking News
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Surveys
      • Outsourcing Survey
      • Salary Survey
    • Glossary
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • White Papers
    • Infographics
    • Contract Pharma Conference
      • Contract Pharma Conference
      • Speakers
      • Exhibitors
      • Conference Sessions
    • Supplier Microsite
      • Companies
      • News Releases
      • Posters
      • Brochures
      • Services
      • Videos
      • Case Study
      • White Papers
    • eBook
    • Webinars
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Classifieds / Job Bank
      • Classifieds
      • Job Bank
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Pharma Beat

    Chipping Away at the Old Cancer Block

    Advances in cancer treatment continue to march towards finding a cure

    Related CONTENT
    • Manufacturing Equipment Trends
    • NovalGen and Halix Enter Strategic Partnership
    • MaxiVAX, Minaris Enter Cell Therapy Mfg. Agreement
    • Century Therapeutics Significantly Expands Capabilities
    • RedHill and Cosmo Strengthen Manufacturing Agreements
    Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor04.05.16
    Since the description of cancer by Hippocrates many centuries ago there has been a vastly growing momentum in fighting this aggressive, often fatal disease. One of the landmark advances in treatment occurred in the late 19th Century when husband and wife Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radiation. This was followed closely by the investigation of mustard gas analogues after the observed side effects of the use of chemical warfare by the Germans in World War II. In the 1940s and 1950s Sidney Fabre undertook ground breaking work with children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) using what is now known as methotrexate and for the first time ever achieved remission in patients suffering from what at the time was thought of as an incurable disease.

    Investigations on the effects of methotrexate on solid tumors came along soon after and in the 1960s combination use of chemotherapy was shown to achieve excellent results in patients with various different blood-based cancers. This was closely followed by the advent of adjuvant therapy in both solid tumor and blood-based malignancies, which demonstrated increasing effectiveness in both remission and effective cure of some cancers.

    Over the past 50 to 60 years the number of drugs that have been developed to effectively treat different cancers is nothing short of amazing. Drugs such as paclitaxel, docetaxel and cisplatin have changed the face of cancer management. But now the pharma industry is taking treatment to the next level. More and more developments are not looking at pharmacologically attacking the tumor or malignancy, but altering the bodies mechanisms to facilitate the body to beat the cancer itself. Targeted therapies interfere with the signaling mechanisms between cells and have altered the progression of many cancers. Monoclonal antibodies, which were derived from mice initially, have been ‘humanized’ and are now used highly effectively to treat a range of cancers. Monoclonal antibodies can work via various mechanisms such as making cells more susceptible and visible to the immune system, blocking growth factors or effectively starving the tumor cells by restricting vascularization. Some of these treatments have become the most recognized in cancer care such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) for breast cancer and bevacizumab (Avastin) used to treat lung, renal and ovarian cancer to name but a few.

    Advances in cancer therapy are so rapid now that it’s not possible to highlight all the recent developments, but there are a few that are creating great debate due to their potential impact on sufferers. One of the ideal mechanisms for beating any disease is to facilitate the body achieving the desired outcome itself and developments within immunotherapy are snowballing at an amazing rate.
    Researchers working at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA, recently published results on their work with modified T-cells extracted from patients with non-responsive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). T-cells have various different subtypes and normally work in cell-mediated immunity. They have the ability to memorize, identify and attack tumor cells using chimeric antigen receptors (CAR). The CAR receptor has two sticky ends, which give it the ability to adhere to both the T-cell and the tumor cell. Professor Stanley Riddell’s team in Seattle have engineered new CAR T-cells, which are uniform and stable and are able to proliferate. Cells were harvested, modified and then re-introduced into the patient. Ninety percent of recipients went into remission, which is an astounding result. In a further small trial in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (chronic lymphocytic leukaemia) over 80% of patients responded to the CAR T-cell treatment with around 50% maintaining the response and remission 18 months later.

    Unfortunately, some of the patients in the trials died from a massive immune reaction to the treatment. This cytokine storm can prove fatal, and although the results from the trails are potentially huge in terms of treatment, implications of the potential risks do have to be considered. The evidence shows though that these naturally occurring, modified cells remain in the body for prolonged periods of time therefore the beneficial impact of the therapy could also be expected to be long-term. It does seem that for some reason the CAR T-cell therapies seem to work best in haematological malignancies, but this new research surely must be good news for progress in this area.

    On a solid tumor note very recent research in the more aggressive HER2 breast cancer is giving an indication of new treatment programs. Although now treated with trastuzumab (Herceptin) the prognosis of this type of malignancy is typically poorer than with others. A group of researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research in London led by Professor Judith Bliss recently released results of a trial, which used dual therapy of trastuzumab and lapatinib in 257 women with in HER2 tumors 1-3cm in size. The original aim or the investigation was to assess the impact of drug therapy on tumor size between diagnosis and excision of the malignant mass.

    After only 11 days of treatment in 11% of the women the tumor had disappeared completely, and a further 17% showed a reduction in size of growth such that they were less than 5mm in diameter. The two drugs work with entirely different mechanisms, and the combination at an early stage has shown some dramatic effects. This new dual therapy has the potential to change the way in which HER2 breast cancer can be managed, however due to the fact that relapse is more common in this specific type of tumor, monitoring must be maintained. Up until now the standard manner of care has been to operate to remove the tumor and then treat with chemotherapy and Herceptin. If the effects of this new treatment regimen could be consistently repeated the avoidance of chemotherapy could be a distinct possibility.

    As the pharmacological options for cancer treatment are developing so rapidly, treatment regimens are becoming much more personalized. And as sub types of tumor are categorized the specificity at diagnosis can make all the difference.

    Although we haven’t yet beaten cancer, the industry, medics and academia as a whole is working towards making this a disease that’s livable with rather than one of utter gloom and doom, which it has been in the past. These advances are amazing and it will be interesting to see how the outcomes are adopted in to clinical practice. If we keep chipping away at the block, at some point a cure surely has to be uncovered. 


    Adele Graham-King
    Contributing Editor

    Adele is a design consultant who works in prod- uct development for medical and healthcare ap- plications. Her background is in pharma, and she has a degree in applied physiology.
    Related Searches
    • monoclonal antibodies
    • cell therapies
    • Development
    • Pharma
    Suggested For You
    Manufacturing Equipment Trends Manufacturing Equipment Trends
    NovalGen and Halix Enter Strategic Partnership NovalGen and Halix Enter Strategic Partnership
    MaxiVAX, Minaris Enter Cell Therapy Mfg. Agreement MaxiVAX, Minaris Enter Cell Therapy Mfg. Agreement
    Century Therapeutics Significantly Expands Capabilities Century Therapeutics Significantly Expands Capabilities
    RedHill and Cosmo Strengthen Manufacturing Agreements RedHill and Cosmo Strengthen Manufacturing Agreements
    Molecular Templates, BMS Enter Strategic Research Pact Molecular Templates, BMS Enter Strategic Research Pact
    LipoMedix, ForDoz Enter Manufacturing Agreement LipoMedix, ForDoz Enter Manufacturing Agreement
    AbbVie, Caribou Ink CAR-T Collaboration AbbVie, Caribou Ink CAR-T Collaboration
    Vigene Plans Major Expansion in Maryland Vigene Plans Major Expansion in Maryland
    Gilead, Gritstone Enter Vax Platform Pact for HIV Cure Gilead, Gritstone Enter Vax Platform Pact for HIV Cure
    Delivering Custom Client Solutions Delivering Custom Client Solutions
    Piramal Inks Clinical Supply Deal with Theratechnologies Piramal Inks Clinical Supply Deal with Theratechnologies
    Fujifilm, CABIM Get $76M Funding for Mfg. and Innovation Center Fujifilm, CABIM Get $76M Funding for Mfg. and Innovation Center
    Adagene Achieves CAR-T Collaboration Milestone  Adagene Achieves CAR-T Collaboration Milestone
    The Slow – But Desperately Needed – Evolution of Oncology Clinical Development Designs The Slow – But Desperately Needed – Evolution of Oncology Clinical Development Designs

    Related Pharma Beat

    • Drug Development

      NSAIDs – Friend or Foe?

      Although widely used for years, NSAIDs have side effects that could eventually change their OTC status
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 06.06.17

    • Drug Development | Drug Discovery
      Tackling TB Resistance

      Tackling TB Resistance

      The TB Alliance is partnering with universities, government agencies, public agencies and a small number of pharma compani
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 05.09.17

    • Drug Development

      Could Nuts Ward Off Cancer?

      Recent research looks into the anti-cancer properties of various nuts
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 04.03.17


    • Drug Delivery | Drug Development | R&D

      ‘Smart’ Heparin Delivery Could Self-Modulate

      A group of researchers have spent the past two years investigating self-controlling dosing and monitoring systems
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 01.26.17

    • Drug Development | Drug Discovery | R&D

      Is Nicotine Such a ‘Bad Boy’?

      Investigating this controversial compound’s potential health benefits
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 11.09.16

    • Drug Development | Drug Discovery | R&D

      Blackberry Wine: Could it Help Your Diabetes?

      Recent research points towards the positive impact ‘berry wine’ might have on diabetes
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 10.11.16


    • Chemistry | Drug Development
      Anyone Fancy a Beer?

      Anyone Fancy a Beer?

      The centuries-old brew continues to be investigated for its medicinal properties
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 05.05.16

    • Clinical Trials | Drug Development

      The 3D Printed Pill

      It’s the future…or is it?
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 01.28.16

    • Clinical Trials | Drug Development | Drug Discovery | R&D

      Are We There Yet?

      Many promising cancer treatments are on the horizon
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 07.14.15


    • APIs | Bioassay Development | Drug Development | Methods Development | Process Development | Toxicology

      The Last Chance Saloon?

      Looking at the pharmaceutical ‘diet’ of anti-obesity drugs
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 06.02.15

    • Clinical Trials | Drug Development

      100 New Drugs in 10 Years?

      Repurposing drug candidates that never saw the light of day
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 03.06.15

    • APIs | Bioassay Development | Clinical Trials | Drug Development | Drug Discovery | Methods Development | Process Development | R&D | Toxicology

      Experimental Drugs

      To use or not to use unlicensed drugs? That is the question.
      Adele Graham-King, Contributing Editor 01.29.15


    • Drug Delivery | Drug Development
      The End of a Century

      The End of a Century

      Looking at 15 years of pharmaceutical evolution.
      Adele Graham-King 10.14.14

    • Bioassay Development | Drug Development | Methods Development | Process Development | Toxicology

      A Questionable Combination

      ...
      Ed Silverman, Contributing Editor 06.05.13

    • Drug Development | R&D

      The Long Pharm of the Law

      Will FDA pursue criminal charges for execs in pharma cases?
      Ed Silverman 04.05.10

    Trending
    • Bormioli Opens New Glass Research Center
    • Arcline Investment Acquires ChargePoint Technology
    • Spark Therapeutics Appoints CTO
    • The Future Of Vaccines And Biologics
    • BMS Expands Cell Therapy Manufacturing Capabilities
    Breaking News
    • J&J’s Single-Dose COVID-19 Vax Issued EUA
    • Icon to Acquire PRA Health Sciences
    • Phlow Corp. and USP Form Alliance
    • BMS Expands Cell Therapy Manufacturing Capabilities
    • Novo Nordisk Invests $80M in Tablet Production
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    January/February 2021

    • High Drug Loading Amorphous Solid Dispersions
    • Parenteral Drug Delivery Trends
    • Selecting the Right Outsourcing Model for Emerging Biotech
    • Inhaled Drug Delivery Technology
    • The Future of Biologics: Accelerating Production, Reducing Costs
    • Business Intelligence For (and From) the Lab
    • Communicating Your Contracting Priorities to Your Drug Company Customers
    • COVID-19 Impact Report
    • The Year of COVID: How FDA Coped with a Worldwide Pandemic in 2020 and What to Expect in 2021
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Martin Bauer Group Acquires Majority Stake in Beverage Company Power Brands
    Gencor Announces Positive Results in VeriSperse Bioavailability Study
    PanTheryx Inc. Acquires TruBiotics Brand from Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Gelest CEO Elected to National Academy of Engineering
    PPG Appoints Tony Wu as VP, Automotive Refinish, Asia
    PPG Appoints John Bruno as VP, Investor Relations
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Axonics Buys Contura to Expand to Stress Urinary Incontinence
    Nurx Appoints Chief Medical Officer
    Median Technologies, UC San Diego to Partner on AI-Based Medical Imaging Technology
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    J&J’s Single-Dose COVID-19 Vax Issued EUA
    Icon to Acquire PRA Health Sciences
    Phlow Corp. and USP Form Alliance
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Universal Engraving Announces New President
    Raw Sugar Living Expands to Target with New Collection
    Supporting Female Beauty Brand Founders on International Women's Day
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    ACI and CBC Launch Webpage About ‘Quats’
    L’Occitane Launches Hand Cream Inspired by Women
    Kiehl’s Partners with Gyrl Wonder
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Access Direct Mail Doubles Revenue with SCREEN's Truepress Jet520HD
    Etiflex Enters New Markets with Nilpeter FA-22 Installation
    Hydrocarbon Solvents Market to Surpass $8.1 Billion by 2030
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    TLMI analyzes pandemic's effect on label industry in new report
    UEI names Ross Hutchison president
    Schreiner MediPharm and AARDEX partner for clinical trials
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    U.S. Nonwovens Rebrands as Radienz Living
    What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com
    Texas Medical Technology Partners with My Protect Kit
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Pandemic Pain: NuVasive's 2020 Sales Fall 10 Percent
    Fusion Robotics Receives FDA Clearance for Spinal Navigation and Robotics System
    Kaia Health Unveils Next-Gen Complete MSK Care Solutions
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Comercial Kywi Improves Customer Service, Front-Store Operations with Zebra Mobile Solution
    Global Printed Circuit Board Market Projected to Reach $69.32 Billion by 2027
    Global Smart Glass Market to Register 6.8% CAGR Between 2021-28: Grand View Research

    Copyright © 2021 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login