Avalon initiates phase II trial of AVN944 in pancreatic cancer

Publication
Article
Oncology NEWS InternationalOncology NEWS International Vol 16 No 8
Volume 16
Issue 8

Avalon initiates phase II trial of AVN944 in pancreatic cancer

GERMANTOWN, Maryland—Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has initiated a phase II clinical trial of AVN944 in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar) in patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer. After a dose-escalation phase, approximately 110 to 120 patients will be enrolled in an efficacy and safety phase. AVN944 is an oral small molecule agent that inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), an enzyme that is critical for cells to be able to synthesize guanosine triphosphate (GTP), a molecule required for DNA synthesis and cellular signaling.

Articles in this issue
Avoiding copay shock
Induction chemo increases survival in unresectable NSCLC
Superselective chemo strategies for HCC
'Value meal dosing' of lapatinib is proposed
AMA approves CPT code for Axxent electronic brachytherapy
Zevalin/R after CHOP-R doubles CRs in follicular NHL
Active surveillance with delayed treatment appears to be a safe option for younger men with low-risk prostate cancer
RT plus local paclitaxel gel promising in esophageal ca
GeneSearch BLN Assay gets FDA approval for node assessment during surgery
TH vs TCH in metastatic breast cancer: 'Take your pick'
Sunitinib prolongs PFS in RCC: update
Diagnostic Dilemma: GI Disease
ACS studies link patients' insurance status to cancer outcomes
Novel MAGE-A3 immunotherapeutic promising as adjuvant therapy of early-stage non-small-cell lung ca
US consumers are shielded from the cost of healthcare
Recent Videos
Those being treated for peritoneal carcinomatosis may not have to experience the complication rates or prolonged recovery associated with surgical options.
For patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, integrating PIPAC into a treatment regimen does not interrupt their systemic therapy.
According to Benjamin J. Golas, MD, PIPAC could be used as a bridging therapy before surgical debulking or between subsequent large surgical operations.
According to Benjamin Golas, MD, PIPAC is emerging as minimally invasive laparoscopic approach for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.
According to Ronan J. Kelly, deciding whether to give nivolumab- or durvalumab-based regimens in gastric cancers may rely on a patient’s frailty.
Five-year follow-up revealed that patients treated with nivolumab vs placebo in the phase 3 CheckMate 577 trial experienced a “doubling” of survival.
Patients treated with nivolumab in the phase 3 CheckMate 577 trial were less likely to experience progression-related treatment discontinuation vs placebo.
2 experts in this video
Related Content
Results from a phase 1/2a trial supported the designation for VS-7375 in those with PDAC harboring a KRAS G12D mutation.

Novel Oral KRAS G12D Inhibitor Receives FDA Fast Track Designation in Advanced PDAC

Tim Cortese
July 25th 2025
Article

Results from a phase 1/2a trial supported the designation for VS-7375 in those with PDAC harboring a KRAS G12D mutation.

Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Harnessing PIPAC to Improve Outcomes in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Benjamin J. Golas, MD
June 30th 2025
Podcast

Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Radiotherapy Plus Sintilimab and Chemo Improves pCR in Rectal Cancer

Radiotherapy Plus Sintilimab and Chemo Improves pCR in Rectal Cancer

Tim Cortese
July 20th 2025
Article

Short-course radiotherapy combined with sintilimab plus oxaliplatin-capecitabine yielded a pCR rate of 59.2% vs 32.7% with the control arm in locally advanced rectal cancer.

The approval of sotorasib plus panitumumab is a “welcome step” in KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancer, according to Marwan G. Fakih, MD.

Sotorasib Combo Approval May Address Novel Therapy Need in KRAS G12C+ CRC

Marwan G. Fakih, MD
February 24th 2025
Podcast

The approval of sotorasib plus panitumumab is a “welcome step” in KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancer, according to Marwan G. Fakih, MD.

Transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib did not significantly improve overall survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma vs sorafenib alone.

Transarterial Chemoembolization Regimen Shows PFS Improvement in HCC

Roman Fabbricatore
July 16th 2025
Article

Transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib did not significantly improve overall survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma vs sorafenib alone.

Phase 1b data show antitumor activity with the givastomig combination across a wide range of CLDN18.2 expression.

Givastomig Regimen Yields Preliminary Activity in Gastric/GEJ Cancers

Kristi Rosa
July 14th 2025
Article

Phase 1b data show antitumor activity with the givastomig combination across a wide range of CLDN18.2 expression.