Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 1 Study of a Novel Adjunct to Cancer Chemotherapy

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that the first patient has received SPI-1620 in a Phase 1 dose-escalation study. SPI-1620, a highly selective endothelin-B agonist, is being developed as an adjunct to cancer chemotherapy.

The Phase 1 trial is an open label, dose-escalation study assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of SPI-1620 in patients with recurrent or progressive carcinoma.

“In preclinical studies, administering SPI-1620 fifteen minutes prior to chemotherapy demonstrated up to 400% increase in drug concentration in the tumors, resulting in increased tumor response,” said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

“We believe that with further clinical development, SPI-1620 has the potential to significantly increase the efficacy of a broad range of chemotherapeutic drugs used for the treatment of solid tumors,” Shrotriya added.