OXiGENE's CA4P Shows Antitumor Activity in Preclinical Retinoblastoma

OXiGENE has announced the publication of a preclinical study using local administration of Combretastatin A4P (CA4P) in the treatment of a murine model of retinoblastoma.

The study reported that a subconjunctival delivery of CA4P, a vascular targeting agent (VTA), induces an extensive dose-dependent reduction in blood vessel count leading to significant tumor reduction with no evidence of corneal, lenticular, choroidal or retinal toxicity. CA4P is involved in seven ongoing human oncology trials in the U.S. and Europe.

The study, titled "Combretastatin A4 Prodrug (CA4P) in the Treatment of a Murine Model of Retinoblastoma," was published in the January 2005 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. This study was supported by OXiGENE and through NIH grants.

Retinoblastoma is a rare malignant tumor of the eye that occurs chiefly among children. Current treatments are radiation, chemotherapy and often removal of the eye. OXiGENE does not currently have any clinical programs ongoing using CA4P for the treatment of retinoblastoma, although further evaluation is under consideration.