Entremed (ENMD)

[nottadoc2]

Question for docs et.al:
The ASCO poster for the report from IU and Wisc. on the Phase II trial for advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer patients for original Panzem --- are some still on it---? stated as follows under "Pharmacodynamics"--I could not copy and paste so this may have errors:

"The trough plasma levels of the different metabolic species (?) showed significant variablity among patients within each dose group of Panzem but still there was a remarkable similarity in the extent of metabolism to 2ME-1 and to their sulfonate/glucoronate conjugates among all patients.**

There is a significant oxidation at the 17 position of 2ME2, resulting in 80 to 95% conversion to 2ME 1 which is at least 10 times less active than 2ME-2.***

"There is extensive conjugation with 80%-90% conversion to the conjugated forms of 2ME2 and 2ME1**

" The shift in Tmax from 1.2 hrs at 400mg. to 6.7hrs. at 1200 mg is consistent with the dissolution in the GI tract being a rate limiting process.."

My Question: I think I understand (to a limited extent)how the nanoparticle version of Panzem would stay around longer and expose more of the surface to..what, endothelial cells, HIF-1, tumor cells..But how/why would the smaller particles reduce this conjugation --apparently not blissful--or conversion to the ineffective 2me-1 ? And what is the meaning of "2"or "1" following the 2ME which may be easier than the first question.