ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Bellicum
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of Phase
I/II safety and efficacy data for BPX-101, a novel drug-activated
dendritic cell vaccine for metastatic castrate resistant prostate
cancer (mCRPC), in three separate posters at the 2011 Genitourinary
Cancers Symposium held in Orlando, Florida on February 17 –
19, 2011. Three leading medical specialty societies co-sponsor the
symposium, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology
(ASCO), the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the
Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO).
- Guru Sonpavde, M.D., Principal Investigator of the Phase I/II
trial, presented data that demonstrated objective clinical
responses, including RECIST Partial and Complete Responses, in
patients treated with BPX-101. - David M. Spencer, Ph.D., Vice Chairman of Pathology &
Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine, showed that BPX-101 can
induce a spiking pattern of inflammatory cytokine elevations after
each dose. In patients who experienced measurable disease
reductions, more dramatic spikes in these cytokine levels were
seen. - Thomas M. Wheeler, M.D., Chairman of Pathology & Immunology
at Baylor College of Medicine, presented data that suggests
vaccination with BPX-101 can induce a strong Prostate Specific
Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-specific immune response. In
addition, tumor biopsy evidence of severe prostate cancer-specific
inflammation and necrosis, associated with a strong PSMA-specific
immune response, was observed after multiple doses of BPX-101.
The trial was designed to establish the safety and maximum
tolerated dose of BPX-101 in combination with activating agent
AP1903, administered every other week for six doses. Exploratory
efficacy endpoints included radiological and biochemical
assessments of clinical response, and assessments of serum and
biopsy samples
‘/>”/>