Staying on the A Train

Based on preclinical data implicating the endothelin A pathway in a variety of pro-oncogenic roles, AstraZeneca plc has been developing its zibotentan specific endothelin A receptor antagonist to treat prostate cancer. While it's still unclear why the company's first Phase III trial failed to replicate the improvement in overall survival in prostate cancer seen in Phase II, the pharma hopes two larger, ongoing trials for the same indication will show a therapeutic benefit.

Cancer cells overexpress endothelin A receptor, and greater endothelin A receptor expression is associated with higher grade tumors...