Cytogen Corp. announced Wednesday the start of Phase Iclinical trials of its OncoRad therapeutic for treating prostatecancer. A monoclonal antibody-based agent linked to thecytotoxic radioisotope yttrium-k80, OncoRad is already inclinical trials for the treatment of ovarian and gastrointestinalcancers. The product has orphan drug designation. The Phase Istudies are designed primarily to determine the maximumtolerated dose, and they will initally take place at two leadingU.S. cancer centers. An estimated 132,000 new cases ofprostate cancer will occur in the United States and nearly34,000 men will die from the disease this year.

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