Micromet's Experimental Cancer Drug Shows Promise in Leukemia Patients

Maryland-based pharmaceutical company, Micromet's experimental cancer drug has been found to reduce the number of cancer cells in over 75 percent of leukemia patients and the company has said that it will be conducting a larger Phase II study soon.

The drug, known as Blinatumomab, was found to have reduced the number of cancer cells to undetectable levels in nine of the 12 patients who had severe form of leukemia. The drug works by priming the T-cells in the body to directly attack the cancer cells.

The company said that it will be conducted a Phase II study with 25 patients suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and who had relapsed following chemotherapy treatment.

Commenting on the results of the initial study, lead researcher Max Topp said, "These results are particularly striking relative to the fact that the majority of enrolled patients had characteristics typically associated with a dismal outlook."

Source: Medindia