ACT: ACTing selectively

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors that target VEGF receptor have revolutionized the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, off-target effects have resulted in little success of the first-generation drugs in other solid tumors aside from two relatively uncommon cancers: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

ACT Biotech Inc. believes the selectivity of its telatinib will allow it to be combined with full-dose chemotherapy in a variety of solid tumor types. ACT has encouraging response data from a Phase II trial of telatinib as part of front-line therapy for gastric cancer, and hopes to find a partner and begin Phase III testing this year...