Trial showed Genasense did not meet endpoint of overall survival in older patients with acute myelogenous leukemia.
Genta’s shares saw a 13.58% dive after reporting negative results from its Phase III trial of Genasense® in myelogenous leukemia. Preliminary data in the randomized trial of chemotherapy with or without Genasense (oblimersen sodium) injection in older, previously untreated patients did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival, according to the analysis conducted by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B.
While Genta’s closed trading on December 7, 2006 at $0.81, after reporting on its trial, it opened today at $0.70. The study was sponsored by the division of cancer treatment and diagnosis, NCI, under a CRADA with Genta.
Genasense has been shown to inhibit production of Bcl-2, a protein made by cancer cells that is thought to block chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Genta’s idea was to use Genasense to enhance the effectiveness of current anticancer treatment.
Genasense is also in randomized trials for non-small-cell-lung, small-cell lung, and prostrate cancers as well as nonrandomized studies in pediatric solid tumors, acute myeloid leukemia, non Hodgkins lymphoma, Waldenstrom’s, and pancreatic, liver, colon, and renal cancers.
