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Immunicon Achieves Endpoints in Its Pivotal Clinical Trial in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 September 2006, 09:01 CDT

Immunicon Corporation (NASDAQ-GM:IMMC) announced today that the

Company met the primary and secondary endpoints associated with its

pivotal clinical trial in metastatic colorectal cancer. The primary

endpoint was that the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) 3-5 weeks

after the initiation of therapy would agree with a patient's

response to therapy as determined by imaging 6-12 weeks after initiation

of therapy. The secondary endpoint was that the number of CTCs prior to

and after the initiation of therapy would predict the clinical end

points of progression-free survival and overall survival.

The prospective, multi-center trial was designed for longitudinal

enumeration of CTCs in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinomas

measurable by imaging. A total of 481 patients were enrolled into the

trial between February 2004 and February 2006, from a total of 55 sites

in the United States and Europe. Imaging studies were performed prior to

the initiation of therapy and at subsequent intervals of approximately

6-12 weeks. CTCs were measured at baseline, 1-2 and 3-5 weeks after the

initiation of therapy, and at the time of all subsequent imaging studies

(approximately every 6-12 weeks) using CellTracks®

technology. Patients remained on the study and provided blood for up to

12 months or until documented evidence of disease progression and/or

death.

Leon Terstappen, MD, PhD, senior vice president and chief scientific

officer of Immunicon commented, "We are

pleased that the data in colorectal cancer are consistent with those in

breast cancer and broadens the clinical utility of our products. We

expect to submit the data to the FDA and for scientific presentations

and publications by the end of this year."

About Immunicon Corporation

Immunicon Corporation is developing and commercializing proprietary

cell- and molecular-based human diagnostic and life science research

products, and is providing certain analytical services to pharmaceutical

and biotechnology companies to assist them in developing new therapeutic

agents, with an initial focus on cancer disease management. Immunicon

has developed platform technologies to identify, count and characterize

a small number of rare cells in blood, such as circulating tumor cells

and circulating endothelial cells that are important in many diseases

and biological processes. Immunicon's products

and underlying technology platforms also have application in cancer

research and may have applications in other fields of medicine, such as

cardiovascular and infectious diseases. For more information, please

visit www.immunicon.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the

meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These

forward-looking statements are often preceded by words such as "hope,"

"may,""believe,"

"anticipate,""plan,"

"expect,""intend,"

"assume,""will"

and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this

press release include, among others, statements relating to the

anticipated clinical utility of Immunicon's

products, expectations of Immunicon's

management with respect to FDA submissions, and other statements not of

historical fact. Immunicon cautions investors not to place undue

reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the

date of this press release, are based on the current expectations and

intent of the management of Immunicon and involve certain factors, such

as risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be far

different from those suggested by these statements. These statements are

not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties

that are difficult to predict, including, but not limited to, risks and

uncertainties associated with: Immunicon's

dependence on Veridex, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, in the field of

cancer cell analysis; the ability to earn license and milestone payments

under Immunicon's agreement with Veridex;

Immunicon's capital and financing needs;

research and development and clinical trial expenditures;

commercialization of product candidates; Immunicon's

ability to obtain licenses from third parties to commercialize products;

Immunicon's ability to manage its growth;

obtaining necessary regulatory approvals; reliance on third party

manufacturers and suppliers; reimbursement by third party payors to

Immunicon's customers; compliance with

applicable manufacturing standards; retaining key personnel; delays in

the development of new products or planned improvements to products;

effectiveness of products compared to competitors'

products; protection of Immunicon's

intellectual property; conflicts with third party intellectual property;

product liability lawsuits that may be brought against Immunicon; labor,

contract or technical difficulties; and competitive pressures in

Immunicon's industry. These factors are

discussed in more detail in Immunicon's

filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required

by law, Immunicon accepts no responsibility for updating the information

contained in this press release beyond the published date, whether as a

result of new information, future events or otherwise, or for

modifications made to this document by Internet or wire services.

"Immunicon" and

the Immunicon Corporation logo are registered trademarks of Immunicon

Corporation. "CellTracks"

is a registered trademark of Immunivest Corporation, a wholly-owned

subsidiary of Immunicon Corporation. CellTracks Analyzer II is a

trademark of Immunivest Corporation. All other trademarks or

servicemarks appearing in this release are the property of their

respective holders. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Source: Business Wire

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