For Immediate Release
April 19, 2009

BUFFALO, NY – Metastasis is the primary cause of death for most cancer patients. Approximately 90% of cancer deaths result from the metastatic spread of the primary cancer tumors. Roswell Park scientists, under the direction of Ben K. Seon, PhD, Department of Immunology, investigated the anti-metastatic activity of three anti-endoglin monoclonal antibodies and found significant suppression of disease in metastasis laboratory models. Dr. Seon will present his findings at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 100th Annual Meeting 2009, April 18-22 in Denver, CO.

Dr. Seon and colleagues have demonstrated in laboratory studies that anti-endoglin agents have induced regression of established tumors by destroying developing blood vessels, with limited toxicities. Dr. Seon tested the anti-metastatic activities of three anti-endoglin monoclonal antibodies in five laboratory models of metastasis. Antibodies SN6a, SN6J and SN6k showed statistically significant repression of metastatic disease and were effective in suppressing primary tumors.

“These laboratory results support our hypothesis that appropriately selected monoclonal antibodies can be effective and safe in denying the blood supply and vascular environment that tumors must have to spread to other parts of the body,” said Dr. Seon. “We believe these antibodies offer promising anti-cancer agents that can target metastatic disease.”

The humanized form of one anti-endoglin agent, c-SN6j (or TRC105), developed in the Seon laboratory at RPCI, was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration as an Investigational New Drug (IND) in December 2007. Phase I clinical trials of TRC105 are underway at four medical centers in patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. This research is supported by grants from the Breast Cancer Program of the U.S. Department of Defense and Tracon Pharma, a San Diego company formed to commercialize the Roswell Park therapeutic antibody.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and in China. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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