The first patient has been treated in a trial of Race Oncology's cancer drug, Bisantrene.
The trial is underway at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel. The company said it has been advised by Sheba that the first patient with relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) had been recruited and completed their seven-day course of treatment with Bisantrene, without any major complications.
“This is a major milestone for Race, because it’s the first treatment with Bisantrene since the drug disappeared more than 25 years ago,” said CEO Peter Molloy.
“We sincerely hope that the treatment will assist this patient and those that follow in this important clinical trial,” said the company's chief medical officer, Dr Samar Al-Behaisi. “I am excited that Bisantrene is finding real clinical use again after such a long dormancy.”
The trial protocol calls for the recruitment of up to 12 patients with relapsed/refractory AML over 12 months. Under the terms of the Israel Ministry of Health’s approval for the trial and the agreement between Race and Sheba, there are limitations on reporting of trial results while the trial is in progress. Race indicated it will advise the market of trial outcomes as these are provided by Sheba and agreed for release.