TransMolecular's 131I-TM-601 impresses in glioma trial

US biotechnology company TransMolecular says that Phase I data from a trial of its developmental anticancer agent, 131I-TM-601, indicates that the drug is able to cross the blood brain barrier. Specifically, the agent, which is being examined as a treatment for recurrent glioma, was able to selectively bind to tumorous cells, producing improvement in inoperable cases of the disease.

The findings, which were presented at this year's meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology in Los Angeles, showed that TM-601, a synthetic version of the protein cholortoxin found in scorpion venom, selectively targeted tumor cells and induced their death, leaving healthy cells undamaged. In addition, the data demonstrated that the drug, which is radio-labeled, delivered a targeted dose of radiation that, again, killed cancerous cells while not affecting adjacent non-cancerous cells.

Michael Egin, TransMolecular's president, said that the firm was pleased by the positive results, commenting that they "support our plans to begin a Phase II intravenous trial in glioma soon." He added that the company also intends to examine the drug in a broad range of cancer indication in due course.