ATLANTA, GA – A new anti-cancer agent may have a role in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, according to a study by Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) researchers led by Marwan Fakih, MD, Department of Medicine. The research (abstract # 3592)* will be presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, June 2-6, Atlanta, GA.

In this phase I study, researchers report that adding vorinostat, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor to the standard chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin and oxaliplation (FOLFOX) stabilized some patients diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer and with prior resistance to FOLFOX.

Vorinostat had been shown in preclinical models to enhance the effectiveness of 5-FU and platinum agents, and to be associated with a 40-fold decrease in thymidilate synthase (TS) expression, the main target of 5-FU. This led scientists at RPCI to investigate vorinostat in combination with FOLFOX in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this phase I study was to determine the recommended dose of this combination. Disease stabilization was noted on several patients with some patients demonstrating a decrease in their intra-tumor TS levels. Researchers indicate this promising treatment regimen merits further investigation.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Approximately 50 percent of patients diagnosed have or develop metastatic disease upon follow-up. The median survival of treated metastatic colorectal cancer is 18-22 months. Significant improvement in overall survival has been achieved with the recent incorporation of new drug therapies which include irinotecan, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab in the treatment of this patient population.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians of all oncology subspecialties who care for people with cancer. ASCO’s more than 20,000 members from the United States and abroad set the standard for patient care and lead the efforts to discover more effective cancer treatments, increase funding for clinical and translational research, and ultimately, improve cancer care for the estimated 10 million people diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year.

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. 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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*Material is embargoed until presentation: Marwan Fakih, MD, Department of Medicine, RPCI, will present abstract # 3592 – “A Phase I study of vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC)” in the general poster session (Board # P 8) on Saturday, June 3, 8 am EST.