1stOncology™, the leading oncology drug development surveillance and analysis platform from BioSeeker Group, now fully supports the latest release of the GLOBOCAN database (September 2018) which includes estimates of the incidence, mortality and prevalence from 36 types of cancer and for all cancers combined in 185 countries of the world. The estimates are presented for 2018, separately for each sex and for the 18 traditional age-groups.

The online tool allows the production of tables and visual descriptions of the current cancer burden by country or region, and permits projections regarding future cancer burden over the next 20 years.

Log-in here to access GLOBOCAN 2018 Epidemiology Data in 1stOncology™ or, if you are not a current user, request a free demo here to learn more.

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On September 18, 2018 CBT Pharmaceuticals (CBT), a U.S. and China-based innovative biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the discovery and development of oncology combination therapies, reported the initiation of the APOLLO Oncology Clinical Trials Program (Press release, CBT Pharmaceuticals, SEP 18, 2018, View Source [SID1234529733]). The APOLLO series of trials will evaluate and investigate whether CBT’s proprietary assets can work in concert with other agents to improve single agent immunotherapy response rates, and, ultimately, to confer clinical benefit to patients with cancer. In Greek, the verb ‘apollymi’ means "to destroy," and in Greek mythology, Apollo is the god of healing.

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The APOLLO program has been initiated with the dosing of the first patient in the initial trial in the series: a Phase 1/2 open label, multi-center dose escalation and expansion study in which CBT’s proprietary c-Met inhibitor (bozitinib; CBT-101) will be administered concomitantly with anti PD-1 cancer immunotherapies. Utilizing biomarkers to identify patients likely to benefit from the combination, the trial will investigate whether the combination will improve single agent immunotherapy response rates as a result of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment due to tumor associated neutrophils (TANs).

"Initiating our APOLLO Oncology Clinical Trials Program and dosing the first patient is a major milestone for CBT as we advance our mission to improve the lives of cancer patients through combination treatment regimens," stated Sanjeev Redkar, PhD, Co-Founder and President. "The APOLLO program is designed to investigate our proprietary assets alongside each other and is focused on understanding the science and genetics to identify the appropriate patients likely to benefit from the regimen. We are grateful for the support of our investigators in running our series of trials."

The initial study is a two-arm clinical trial targeting locally advanced or metastatic disease: CBT-101 with CBT-501 (genolimzumab; anti-PD-1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or CBT-101 and nivolumab in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). CBT-101 targets the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway, and CBT-501 is CBT’s IgG4 humanized monoclonal antibody against the PD-1 membrane receptor on immune cells. Nivolumab (OPDIVO; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company) is approved for advanced kidney cancer.

Dr. Alex Powell, MBBS, FRACP, Affinity Oncology, Hollywood Private Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, added, "One of the newer paradigms for treating cancer patients is combining immunotherapy agents as this synergistic approach may provide improved outcomes. In this first trial in the series, we believe that giving a c-Met inhibitor concomitantly with an anti PD-1 therapy may produce a positive added response in patients with HCC and RCC where monotherapy treatment has proven effective. Affinity Oncology, and the entire Australia and New Zealand team, is thrilled to partner with CBT on this combination approach."

The primary objective of the Phase 1 portion of the trial will be to identify any dose limiting toxicities, evaluate overall safety, and assess the tolerability of CBT-101 and CBT-501 for HCC and CBT-101 and nivolumab for RCC. The Phase 2 primary objective is to assess preliminary efficacy by objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) per irRECIST (Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors). Secondary objectives include: determination of the recommended Phase 2 dose, determination of the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of CBT-101 and CBT-501 when administered in combination, assessment of clinical benefit rate, progression free survival, and overall survival at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Whole blood, serum, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells will be collected to assess TANs. For additional information regarding the trial, please visit clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03655613.

About Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. HCC occurs most often in people with chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection. While it is estimated that there will be approximately 42,000 new cases and 30,000 deaths from liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in the United States in 2018, about 83% of liver cancer cases occur in less developed countries. The highest incidence of liver cancer is in Asia and Africa.

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer that begins in the lining of the renal tubules in the kidney. The renal tubules filter the blood and produce urine. Kidney cancer is the 12th most common cancer in the world with 338,000 new cases diagnosed in 2012. About 59% of kidney cancer cases occurred in more developed countries with the highest incidence in Northern America and Europe. It is estimated that there will be approximately 65,000 new cases and 15,000 deaths from kidney and renal pelvis cancer in the United States in 2018.

On September 18, 2018 Provectus (OTCQB: PVCT) reported that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed the Company’s patent application for the use of adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of PV-10-induced T cells for the treatment of solid tumor cancers (Press release, Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, SEP 18, 2018, View Source [SID1234529473]). Co-inventors include current and former members of a longstanding, PV-10-focused, translational research team at Moffitt Cancer Center (Moffitt) in Tampa, Florida, which has undertaken work in melanoma, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer starting in 20111.

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PV-10 is Provectus’ lead investigational drug for the treatment of adult and pediatric solid tumor cancers, and is the first small molecule oncolytic immunotherapy. It is administered via intralesional injection directly into superficial or visceral tumors to elicit immunogenic cell death of these injected tumors. PV-10 is the subject of several ongoing clinical trials of adults in melanoma2,3 and cancers of the liver3,4. PV-10 has also been shown to induce cell death in pediatric solid tumor cell lines derived from relapsed neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma6.

Under the treatment concept of the allowed patent application, which is entitled "Method of Ex Vivo Enhancement of Immune Cell Activity for Cancer Immunotherapy with a Small Molecule Ablative Compound," PV-10 is injected into solid tumors and the resulting immune products – T cells trained via PV-10 oncolytic immunotherapy to be functional against treated tumors – are harvested, banked, and amplified. Amplified T cells may be administered via ACT, if needed. The allowed patent application also covers the ACT treatment of either the original patient or other immunologically-suitable patients.

Dominic Rodrigues, Vice Chair of the Company’s Board of Directors, said, "Hundreds of patients have received intralesional PV-10 for a variety of solid tumor types. One of several logical paths for expanding our clinical development program is to explore harnessing functional immunologic activation produced by PV-10 oncolytic immunotherapy via the use of adoptive cell transfer. Protecting Provectus’ intellectual property in this regard was an important and necessary task."

About PV-10

Provectus’ lead investigational oncology drug, PV-10, the first small molecule oncolytic immunotherapy, can induce immunogenic cell death. PV-10 is undergoing clinical study for adult solid tumor cancers, like melanoma and cancers of the liver, and preclinical study for pediatric cancers.

On September 18, 2018 Cancer Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CGIX), a leader in enabling precision medicine for immuno-oncology and genomic medicine through molecular markers and diagnostics, and NovellusDx, Ltd., a leader in functional genomics, reported the signing of a definitive agreement under which NovellusDx will merge with a newly formed Israeli subsidiary of Cancer Genetics and shareholders of NovellusDx will receive stock equal to approximately 49% of the equity of Cancer Genetics on a fully diluted basis (with certain adjustments) (Press release, Cancer Genetics, SEP 18, 2018, View Source [SID1234531536]). Cancer Genetics will be the surviving entity and expects to remain listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

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This transaction will combine Cancer Genetics’ scale, expansive test portfolio and broad data set related to tumor biology, cultivated over more than a decade, with NovellusDx’s proprietary technology and machine learning capabilities to form a leading, oncology-focused precision medicine company. The aim of the combined company is to accelerate and enhance therapeutic development, effectively matching patients to targeted therapies to improve treatment success rates for biopharma companies.

John A. Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Genetics commented, "This is truly an exciting day for CGI and its shareholders. We believe that the combination of Cancer Genetics and NovellusDx will result in an organization that is uniquely positioned within the oncology ecosystem. The combined company has an opportunity to become an essential partner for biopharma companies to support their efforts to develop better, more targeted therapeutics and improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment. Over the last several months, we have made significant progress in positioning Cancer Genetics as a value-added partner with biopharma companies. We are confident that this transaction significantly strengthens our value proposition for both existing and potential biopharma partners. We look forward to planning, with the NovellusDx team, the integration of our respective strategic plans to bring innovative product and service offerings as we advance toward closing."

Mr. Roberts will become CEO of the combined company. Dr. Charles Woler, MD, PhD, currently Chairman of the Board of NovellusDx, will serve as Chairman of the Board of the combined company. Dr. Woler has spent the last 30 years in the healthcare industry, in large multinational pharmaceutical companies, SMEs and also in smaller, earlier stage biotech companies. His positions have included CEO of Roche France, CEO of SmithKline Beecham’s European pharmaceutical business (London), CEO of Cadus Pharmaceuticals (US), CEO of Neuro3d & Endotis Pharma (France), and recently Biomnis (France). He holds non-executive chairman and directorship positions in companies in Europe, the United States and Israel.

The Boards of Directors of both companies have approved the proposed merger, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019, subject to the approval of Cancer Genetics’ and NovellusDx’s shareholders, tax regulatory approvals, financing, and other customary closing conditions. Existing NovellusDx shareholders, including OrbiMed Israel Partners II, L.P., Pontifax (Israel) IV LP, Helsinn Investment Fund SA, SICAR, and Windham Venture Partners have indicated that they will invest $10 million in additional equity as part of a concurrent PIPE financing, which is expected to close immediately following and in connection with the closing of the merger. NovellusDx will also be providing up to a $2.3 million bridge loan to Cancer Genetics in conjunction with the signing of the definitive merger agreements.

Haim Gil-Ad, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NovellusDx added, "We are pleased to enter into this merger agreement with Cancer Genetics and excited by what the future holds for the combined company and our shareholders. This merger will result in a company offering advanced science and cutting-edge technology to empower oncologists and the biopharma industry to make optimal treatment decisions and develop new therapies to benefit patients in need. We believe that the combined company will have a level of capability and expertise unmatched in the oncology arena and will be well-positioned to compete, particularly in the fast-growing immuno-oncology segment."

Raymond James is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Cancer Genetics and rendered a fairness opinion in connection with the merger. Chardan is serving as exclusive financial advisor to NovellusDx.

On September 18, 2018 PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB: PMCB), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted cellular therapies for cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box, reported that its partner, Austrianova, has successfully performed an additional pre-production "engineering run" using the Cell-in-a-Box encapsulated cells that will be used, in combination with low doses of the cancer prodrug ifosfamide, for the treatment of locally advanced, non-metastatic, inoperable pancreatic cancer (LAPC) (Press release, PharmaCyte Biotech, SEP 18, 2018, View Source [SID1234529474]).

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On the advice of PharmaCyte’s Chief Scientific Officer and Austrianova, who will be performing the full production process of PharmaCyte’s clinical trial material, it was decided that the first production run would be deemed an engineering/pre-production run to be conducted before the production run to produce clinical trial material begins.

PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, said, "We are happy to report that the encapsulation portion of the process during the pre-production run went flawlessly. Our decision has proven to be the correct course of action. We have much more information on how the cells from the Master Cell Bank (MCB) perform during and after encapsulation. The experience we have gained allowed Austrianova to make minor, but important, changes to the cell culture portion of the full production process. Completing the full production process and testing the final product now are the major items that remain to be accomplished before submitting our IND to the FDA."

The full production process consists of several steps with the most important being (i) the encapsulation process and (ii) the subsequent culturing of the encapsulated cells. PharmaCyte’s Cell-in-a-Box technology, with the live cells inside, must be placed in a "culture bath" long enough for the capsules to become filled with about 10,000 living cells that stop dividing upon contact with neighboring cells. If the capsules contained dividing cells, those cells would be killed (and rendered useless for cancer therapy) within the capsules when the ifosfamide prodrug was administered.

The decision to regard the run as an engineering run before the final production run occurs resulted, partly, due to learning that the cells from the MCB produced by Eurofins show slightly altered growth properties when compared to the cells that were previously tested and then used to prepare the MCB. This finding is not unusual when a new cell bank is established. However, since any alterations in the growth characteristics of the cells from the MCB that were used for the current encapsulation run might impinge on aspects of the overall production process, to have any anomalies well characterized and in line with regulatory guidelines, this additional engineering run was performed.

The knowledge gained from the two engineering runs should allow for the final production run to produce clinical trial material to begin. Austrianova completed the entire production process a few weeks ago and since then has successfully filled syringes with capsules that were produced during this pre-production run. This process was carried out to mimic what will be done in the final production run from encapsulation to preparing for direct shipment of PharmaCyte’s live-cell product to clinical trial study sites