Kosan Biosciences (KOSN)

[surf1944]

Kosan Initiates Phase 2 Trial of Alvespimycin, Second-Generation Hsp90 Inhibitor, in HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Tuesday January 15, 6:00 am ET

HAYWARD, Calif., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kosan Biosciences Incorporated (Nasdaq: KOSN - News) today announced the initiation of a Phase 2 trial of alvespimycin, the company's second-generation Hsp90 inhibitor, in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Alvespimycin has demonstrated the potential to disrupt the activity of multiple oncogenes and cell signaling pathways implicated in tumor growth, including HER2, a key signaling pathway in breast cancer. The objective of the Phase 2 trial is to evaluate the safety and anticancer activity of alvespimycin as a single agent in patients who have not previously received Herceptin for metastatic disease except in an adjuvant setting. Antitumor data in patients with advanced HER2-positive cancer presented at the September 2007 American Society of Oncology (ASCO) Breast Cancer Symposium demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity of alvespimycin in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin®).

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