First New Class Of Platinum-based Chemotherapy Drug Candidates In 30 Years Demonstrate Ability To Kill Tumors Resistant To Curre

SAN FRANCISCO -- Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) announced preclinical data presented at the 19th annual AACR-NCI-EORTC Symposium show its bis-platinate drug candidates, CT-47613 and CT-47609, kill tumors refractory to currently marketed platinum agents carboplatin, cisplatin and oxaliplatin. These compounds could enter human clinical trials in late 2008. "Bis-platinates represent a promising new class of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs with a potential broad spectrum of anti-tumor activity. Anti-cancer drugs containing platinum are a cornerstone therapy for a wide range of tumor types including ovarian, testicular, colorectal, head and neck, and lung cancer," said Jack W. Singer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of CTI. "Th...