November 18, 2004

New Clinical Trial for Patients with Brain Cancer
Available at Moores UCSD Cancer Center

Physicians at the Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center are conducting a Phase III research study to evaluate an investigational drug for the treatment of progressive or recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, a malignant brain cancer. 

Participants will receive either two infusions of an investigational drug called TransMID, or a chemotherapy regimen considered to be the best standard of care. 

TransMID is an anti-cancer drug that consists of two parts – a normal human protein called transferrin that is linked to a modified diphtheria toxin. TransMID gains entry into malignant brain tumor cells by the binding of the transferrin component to transferrin receptors, which are found in large quantities on the surface of malignant cells. The diphtheria component has been modified so that it will not cause symptoms of diphtheria, but will kill tumor cells once inside them. Because TransMID is administered directly into tumors, it achieves high concentrations in the cancer cells while minimizing systemic exposure.

For further information about this novel approach to the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, please contact Daniel Szpak, Research Nurse, at 858-657-7083.

Now celebrating its 25^th Anniversary, the Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center is one of just 38 centers in the United States to hold a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.  As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting basic and clinical cancer research, providing advanced patient care and serving the community through outreach and education programs.