Methods for the Effective Treatment of Metastatic Cancer

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of metastatic cancer. Methods of treating metastatic cancer by administration of a set of drugs overcome multiple mechanisms of melphalan resistance and hypersensitize cancer cells to melphalan are described. The methods involve the administration of drug(s) that induce oxidative stress in cancer cells, in conjunction with melphalan on a defined schedule.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 716,838, filed on Oct. 22, 2012. The entire teachings of the above application are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Combination chemotherapy has given high cure rates for certain types of metastatic cancer, such as childhood leukemia, lymphoma and testicular cancer. However, most common types of metastatic cancer are currently incurable. The 5-year survival rates of some metastatic cancers are approximately as follows: cervical 16%, colorectal 12.5%, uterine 16%, esophageal 3.5%, kidney 12.3%, liver / biliary 3%, lung / bronchus 3.9%, melanoma 16.1%, ovarian 27.3%, pancreatic 2%, stomach 3.9%, bladder 5.4%, breast 24.3%. (See: Frei E 3rd.; Curative cancer chemotherapy, Cancer Res. 1985; 45:6523-37 and Howlader N, et al.; SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2010, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, Md.).[0003]Despite decades of research and hundreds of bi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new treatment for non-refractory metastatic cancer that involves giving a combination of compounds to inhibit cancer cell growth. This treatment has fewer side effects, requires less therapy, and improves quality of life compared to current treatments. It also has a higher chance of providing a complete response and durable CRs for the type of cancer being treated.

Problems solved by technology

However, most common types of metastatic cancer are currently incurable.

Despite this truly massive scientific effort, obtaining complete response (CRs) in patients with most types of metastatic cancer has not been possible.

However, decreasing the tumor cell burden by 2-logs would still leave millions to billions of viable cancer cells in the patient, with time these cancer cells could multiply and cause progressive disease.

There have been thousands of clinical trials with a large number of different combinations of anticancer drugs, yet few drug regimens give high rates of complete responses in patients with metastatic cancer and cures for most types of metastatic cancer are very rare.

Presently, there are no methods for the effective treatment for most types of metastatic cancer that can give high rates of complete responses and durable, long-term, complete responses in patients.

Images