ImmunoGen preclinical data

IMGN published mouse studies demonstrating the efficacy of the immunoconjugate. As reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, mice were implanted subcutaneously with colon cancer cells. When treated, the resulting tumors completely regressed, with many animals remaining tumor-free for extended periods. The cure rate was high even for very large tumors or with relatively low doses of the drug.

The chemotherapeutic used, DM1, a member of the maytansinoid family, is more potent than most available chemotherapeutics, which enables it to work well after linkage to the antibody. In fact it is too potent to use in conventional chemotherapy, whereas most available chemotherapeutics have not worked well as immunoconjugates, the report noted. ...