The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7218 p477
5 October 2002

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Synthetic molecule has potential to enhance radiation therapy

A synthetic molecule, efaproxiral (RSR13), that enhances the diffusion of oxygen to oxygen-deprived tumour tissue shows promise in improving survival time in patients with locally advanced, unresectable, stage IIIA/IIIB non-small cell lung cancer.

Efaproxiral has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy in these patients, according to Allos Therapeutics, the company developing the drug.

In a phase II trial, 52 patients were assigned two courses of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin, followed by efaproxiral daily combined with thoracic radiation therapy for 32 doses.

Of the 44 patients who reached follow-up at two months, a median survival of 20.6 months was seen, with a one-year survival rate of 67 per cent and a two-year survival rate of 37 per cent.

Data were presented at the annual meeting of the European Society for Therapeutics Radiology and Oncology held in Prague last month.