OncoRad 103 ovarian cancer treatment showed therapeuticresponses among trial patients in ongoing Phase I testing,according to preliminary results announced Monday byCytogen Corp.

The trials also have enabled the company to devise a strategyfor increasing the dosage of the isotope-linked monoclonalantibody.

Of nine patients with advanced ovarian cancer enrolled in thetrial so far, three showed encouraging responses to theantibody-linked Yttrium 90. All trial patients had failed torespond to conventional therapies.

The Princeton, N.J., company's director of clinical investigation,Dr. Robert Maguire, told BioWorld that two of the respondingpatients survived longer than expected without recurrence ofclinical symptoms, and one patient with a palpable metastasishad the lesion disappear.

The company has devised a strategy to avoid side effects of theantibody-Yttrium treatment, which is allowing higher dosesand potentially more success. A chelating agent is injectedalong with the therapeutic to scavenge any free Yttrium andclear it safely from the bloodstream.

Maguire estimated that Phase II testing in patients with less-advanced cancer would begin by early 1992.

Cytogen shares (NASDAQ:CYTO) closed Monday at $16.50, up 50cents. -- RF

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