The following data were presented at the EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Geneva.

• Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., said preclinical results showed that AP24534 demonstrated potent inhibition of selected kinase targets that control tumor growth and angiogenesis, notably all four receptors for fibroblast growth factors. The firm said the investigational compound also inhibited the receptors for vascular endothelial growth factors and angiopoietin and, to a lesser degree, platelet-derived growth factor. The company said that in vivo mechanistic studies demonstrated antitumor activity in mouse models of colon cancer and melanoma. Ariad said it expects to initiate Phase II trials based on the preclinical data and its assessment of the clinical data from the ongoing Phase I study of AP24534 in patients with hematological malignancies.

• Gemin X Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Malvern, Pa., presented clinical and preclinical data from studies of two of the company's targeted cancer therapeutics - obatoclax (GX15-070), a pan-Bcl2 inhibitor; and GMX1777, an inhibitor of NAD+ metabolism. A Phase I GMX1777 study achieved its goal to identify a dose for Phase II studies, while the preclinical study showed the potential for improved cancer treatments using rational drug combinations of targeted agent GMX1777 and established therapies. Data from a Phase I/II trial showed that obatoclax in combination with docetaxel was well tolerated at the highest dose evaluated; however no obvious improvement in response rate or progression-free survival was seen compared to docetaxel-alone historical controls.

• Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., said preclinical studies of IPI-926 demonstrated that the compound significantly down-regulates Hedgehog signaling in tumor stroma, thereby disrupting the communication process between tumor and stroma, and ultimately, leading to tumor growth inhibition. Preclinical data also showed that daily administration of IPI-926 resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition when compared to vehicle controls in a model of human pancreatic cancer.

• Nektar Therapeutics Inc., of San Carlos, Calif., reported positive Phase I data for its lead oncology product candidate, NKTR-102 (PEG-irinotecan). The company said data established the desired pharmacokinetic profile with NKTR-102, showing a substantially prolonged half-life relative to standard irinotecan.

• Oxford BioMedica plc, of Oxford, UK, reported that a cross-trial analysis of Phase I and Phase II trials of TroVax in colorectal, renal and prostate cancers suggested an association between the magnitude of the antibody response to the 5T4 tumor antigen, which is targeted by TroVax, and increased patient survival. Across all nine trials, a doubling in the 5T4 antibody response between the first and third TroVax vaccinations was associated with a reduction in the relative risk of death of 16 percent. The effect was strongest in colorectal cancer patients, with a reduction in the relative risk of death of 19 percent. TroVax is a therapeutic cancer vaccine being developed through a collaboration with Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis Group.

• Seattle Genetics Inc., of Bothell, Wash., said preclinical findings showed that SGN-35, an antibody-drug conjugate, had enhanced activity when combined with chemotherapeutic agents in models of Hodgkin's lymphoma, including the most common front-line therapy, ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine), as well as Gemzar (gemcitabine, Eli Lilly and Co.) The company is testing SGN-35 in Phase I trials in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma and other CD30-positive hematologic malignancies. Data from a single-agent Phase I trial showed that 45 percent of evaluable patients treated at doses of 1.2 mg/kg and higher achieved an objective response, including 23 percent with a complete response.

• Thallion Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Montreal, said study data demonstrated that TLN-4601 inhibited proliferation and signaling of mutated KRAS-expressing cancer cells. Mutated KRAS is associated with 90 percent of pancreatic cancers, as well as being highly expressed in other cancers such as non-small-cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer.