Ribi ImmunoChem Research Inc. said Wednesday that a simpleblood test may help predict which subgroup of patients willbenefit most from its Melacine melanoma theracine.

An interim analysis of Ribi's multicenter Phase II studyshowed a median survival of 41 months for the 50 percent ofpatients who had a 150 percent increase in white blood cellsknown as Leu 7 positive CTL after receiving Melacine.

Patients who didn't show the same Leu positive responsesurvived a median of 19 months. All patients receivingMelacine survived a median of 23 months to 25 months,compared with a 12-month median survival for patientsreceiving standard chemotherapy.

The results were presented at a symposium on Advances in theBiology and Clinical Management of Melanoma in Houston.

The blood test will allow clinicians to make improvedprognoses, Ribi said. The Hamilton, Mont., company is alsotissue-typing patients to further identify the subgroup that willbenefit from Melacine.

Ribi has begun Phase III trials of the drug, which containstumor cells from two cell lines plus Ribi's Detox adjuvant toenhance the immune response. If the trials are successful, Ribiplans to submit a product license application in 1993 to theFood and Drug Administration.

Ribi shares (NASDAQ:RIBI) closed at $8.25, up $1. -- KB

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.