G17DT safe in phase II clinical trials and increases survival of pancreatic cancer patients.

2003 JAN 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS, senior medical writer - Phase II clinical trial results indicate that a vaccine containing the compound, G17DT, which causes the production of anti-gastrin antibodies, stimulated a strong antibody response in most patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and significantly increased survival time.

"The prognosis for advanced pancreatic cancer remains poor, said Bernard T. Brett and colleagues at hospitals in London and at Aphton Corporation in Woodland, California. "We describe the first study of the anti-gastrin immunogen G17DT in pancreatic cancer."

The growth of many gastrointestinal system cancers, such as stomach, pancreatic, esophageal, and colorectal, is enhanced by gastrin 17 and gly-gastrin. G17DT activates the body's immune system to produce antibodies against gastrin 17 and gly-gastrin, resulting in an inhibition of cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis.

Brett and his collaborators administered three doses of 100 micrograms or 250 micrograms G17DT to 30 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and monitored antibody response, safety, and effectiveness of the therapy.

Overall, 20 (67%) of the 30 patients responded to the treatment with an increase in anti-gastrin antibodies. Patients who received the higher dose were significantly more likely to respond than were the patients in the lower-dose group (82% vs. 46%, respectively; p

Patients who demonstrated an increase in anti-gastrin antibodies had significantly longer median survival than did nonresponders, 217 versus 121 days, respectively (p=0.023). Overall median survival was ...