Avid Bioservices Inc (CDMO)

[Thurly]

The question to me is, is there a particularly good synergistic effect when bavi and docetaxel are used in combo? Or does that combo efficacy specific to breast cancer? New trial data from the NSCLC and CRPC trials will tell us a lot about that.

2005 Abstract
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/65/10/4408.abstract
In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that docetaxel, which is known to have antivascular effects on tumors, might induce exposure of anionic phospholipids on tumor vasculature and, thus, enhance the antitumor activity of 3G4. Treatment of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells with subtoxic concentrations of docetaxel (20 pmol/L) in vitro caused anionic phospholipids to be externalized without inducing apoptosis. Docetaxel treatment of mice increased the percentage of tumor vessels that expose anionic phospholipids from 35% to 60%. No induction of phosphatidylserine was observed on vessels in normal tissues even after systemic treatment with docetaxel. Treatment of mice bearing orthotopic MDA-MB-435 human breast tumors with 3G4 plus docetaxel inhibited tumor growth by 93%. Treatment of mice bearing disseminated MDA-MB-435 tumors with 3G4 plus docetaxel reduced the average number of tumor colonies in the lungs by 93% and half the animals did not develop tumors.

Considering the later PII ABC trial results, (http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/new-progression-free-survival-data-from-peregrines-bavituximab-phase-ii-refractory-breast-nasdaq-pphm-1267852.htm) combo therapy with docetaxel looks like a protocol that merits further study with other tumor types.

Two trials testing bavi/docetaxel combos are listed on clinicaltrials.gov: 2nd line NSCLC and CRPC.