Ontak is a recombinant DNA-derived cytotoxic protein composed of the amino acid sequences for diphtheria toxin fragments A and B followed by the sequences for interleukin-2. The FDA approved Ontak as an orphan drug in February 1999 for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Ontak is in clinical trials for melanoma; for example, Phase II Trial of Ontak With Metastatic Melanoma, NCT00299689. The purpose of this study is to determine whether ONTAK is an effective treatment in patients with Stage IV Melanoma.
A Czech study presented in 2006 suggested prelimiarily that Ontak may be suedul for melanoma; five out of seven patients with stage IV disease experienced significant regression or stabilisation of both tumours and metastases. The two other patients in whom the disease progressed were on a lower dose of the drug. All the patients are still alive after 12 months. Imn the same year,two patients were presented at ASCO. There are also studies combinaing Ontak with vaccines.
Dummer, Reinhard Emerging drugs in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas
Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs, Volume 10, Number 2, 1 May 2005 , pp. 381-392(12)
EORTC-NCI-AACR [1] Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (Thursday 9 November, 2006, Abs 264
DAB(389)IL2 (Denileukin Diftitox; ONTAK) suppresses growth of melanoma metastases.Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I. Vol 24, No. 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2006: 18010
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