Picoplatin Explained

Picoplatin is a platinum-based antineoplastic agent in clinical development by Poniard Pharmaceuticals (previously NeoRx) for the treatment of patients with solid tumors.^[1]

In Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, picoplatin demonstrated activity in a variety of solid tumors, including lung, ovarian, colorectal and hormone-refractory prostate cancer.^[2] However, in Phase III trials, picoplatin failed to hit its primary endpoint for advanced small cell lung cancer.^[3] Hopes are now pinned on its use for metastatic colorectal cancer.^[4]

Notes and References

1. 10.1039/C0DT00292E . 39 . The status of platinum anticancer drugs in the clinic and in clinical trials . 2010 . Dalton Transactions . Wheate . Nial J.. 35 . 8113–8127 . 20593091 . 2123/14271 . free .
2. http://www.poniard.com/programs/picoplatin/clinical.html Picoplatin Clinical Results
3. http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/breaking-news-poniard-shares-crash-phiii-picoplatin-failure/2009-11-16 Poniard shares crash on Phase III picoplatin failure
4. http://www.genengnews.com/specialreports/sritem.aspx?oid=69418732 Nov 2009