Novel Delivery Of Monoclonal Antibodies To Be Studied.(for brain cancer treatment)

2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) --

Image-Guided Neurologics (IGN) and Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PPHM), have agreed to cosponsor a Phase I/II pilot study for Cotara, Peregrine's Tumor Necrosis Therapy drug, that utilizes IGN's Navigus Array multilumen intracranial catheter in patients with brain cancer.

Cotara is a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody that targets the necrotic core of tumors and uses beta-radiation to kill the tumors from the inside out. Unlike traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy, preclinical studies have shown Cotara grows more effective with successive use as the region of necrosis, or dying cells, grows in size. Since necrotic tissue is common to all tumors, Cotara may have broad application across all tumor types.

The Navigus Array Catheter, available in a variety of sizes and configurations, is designed to optimize the delivery of drugs and cells to targeted sites within the brain through a series of independent microcatheters that extend from a host catheter. Its proprietary multilumen approach allows for multiple drug infusion approaches via a single entry point. The catheter has 510(k) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is commercially available in the United States and Europe.

The pilot study is designed to further characterize the flow and distribution characteristics of the Array catheter when used with Cotara, as well as to better understand methods to improve overall distribution of the drug at the tumor site. Approximately six patients will be enrolled in the pilot study at the Medical University of South Carolina.

"We are pleased that Peregrine Pharmaceuticals has selected IGN's Navigus Array Catheter for ...