Introgen and Pfizer study finds effective treatment for breast cancer

A study for Introgen Therapeutics and Pfizer had found that Introgen’s INGN 241 drug works synergistically with Pfizer’s celecoxib drug.

It found that combining the two drugs could inhibit growth and increase cell death in breast cancer tumours. Celecoxib was previously approved to treat pre-cancerous lesions of the colon as well as a treatment for arthritis.

Previous studies had found that the drugs worked independently in both stopping cancer cell growth and killing cancer cells. Celecoxib inhibits the enzyme COX-2, which is associated with cancer progression. The key component of INGN 241, gene mda-7, targets cell survival pathways.

Sunil Chada of Introgen said: “The multiple pathways through which INGN 241 exerts its anti-cancer effects support its development as a new cancer treatment that combines the safety and efficacy of a targeted therapy with the broad utility of standard treatment regimens.

“In this study, we demonstrate the synergistic activity between INGN 241 and celecoxib in killing breast cancer cells. Combining two low toxicity agents may provide additional options for breast cancer patients.”

The company said that a small portion of patients may experience cardiovascular side effects, but added that the risk was probably acceptable for those who require the therapy.

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