AstraZeneca announces Cancer Research UK agreement

AstraZeneca is set to join forces with Cancer Research UK's development and commercialisation arm to investigate whether the experimental AZD2098 drug can be used as an effective treatment for kidney cancer.

The deal will mean AstraZeneca will complete all necessary preclinical development and carry out early clinical trials of the compound, which was originally designed to help patients with asthma. 

Cancer Research UK is also providing the necessary finance for the early phase trial of AZD2098, which will comprise 40 patients and begin in 2015.

The drug targets a molecule called CCR4, found on immune cells and important for directing them. In the case of kidney cancer, scientists believe this molecule sends the cells to the tumour, where they are often forced into inactivity or even help the cancer to develop.

Tom Powles, trial lead and Cancer Research UK clinician at Queen Mary University of London, said: "AZD2098 potentially allows us to target the support network which helps keep cancer cells alive and it may be particularly potent in kidney cancer."