In a recent research, scientists at Amgen are testing a fully human monoclonal antibody named AMG 479, which can inhibit the activity of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2). This effect can in turn lead to reduce growth of pancreatic cancer cells, according to reports in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

In the in vitro study conducted by Beltram, a principal scientist in oncology research, and his colleagues, it was discovered that AMG 479, a fully human anti-IGF-1 monoclonal antibody could inhibit both IGF-1 and IGF-2 binding factors. It might also repress ligand-induced activation in some growth factors that led to decreased cellular viability.

The research team measured the effect of AMG 479 on pancreatic cancer cells in vivo and observed that this inhibition rate was approximately 80 percent inhibition of tumor growth and receptor expression.

“We know that insulin-like growth factors play a role in cancer development, particularly in mediating cell survival. This is the first drug that specifically targets the receptor for these growth factors without cross-reacting with the closely related insulin receptor,” said Beltran.

From Science Daily:

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and less than 4 percent of the 200,000 patients diagnosed annually live more than five years. The only available clinical treatment is gemcitabine, but this has yet to show a survival benefit.

Scientists are testing a variety of experimental therapies to bring pancreatic cancer under control. At Amgen, Pedro J. Beltran, Ph.D., a principal scientist in oncology research, is experimenting with AMG 479, a fully human anti-IGF-1 monoclonal antibody.

“We know that insulin-like growth factors play a role in cancer development, particularly in mediating cell survival. This is the first drug that specifically targets the receptor for these growth factors without cross-reacting with the closely related insulin receptor,” said Beltran.

He also said that the observed data clearly showed that AMG 479 would be a clinical candidate for pancreatic cancer therapy, either alone or in combination with gemcitabine, the only available clinical treatment.

Beltran concluded with that researchers were still conduting tests of AMG 479 in nine separate phase II studies of various cancer types and more beneficial results were expected.

Posted in Steroids