Seattle Genetics: Early data shows SGN-40, SGN-70 may be used in several B-cell malignancies, blood cancers

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Dec. 13 - Seattle Genetics, Inc. said preclinical data from its SGN-40 and SGN-70 programs demonstrated broad application in B-cell malignancies, including Hodgkin's disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, when used in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid).

And preclinical studies of SGN-70 have shown that it has therapeutic potential in blood cancers, according to a company news release.

The company presented several abstracts on the data at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting in Atlanta.

SGN-40 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the CD40 antigen, which is expressed on most B-cell lineage hematologic malignancies. Seattle is conducting clinical trials of SGN-40 in multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In addition, a number of preclinical studies are ongoing.

In those preclinical studies, SGN-40 was found to have anti-tumor activity in models of chronic lymphocytic leukemia through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Seattle said it recently initiated a phase 1/2 clinical trial of SGN-40 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

SGN-70 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the CD70 antigen, which is highly expressed on a variety of hematologic malignancies. SGN-70 demonstrates potent effector functions, including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis.

SGN-70 also significantly prolonged survival in preclinical models of lymphoma and multiple myeloma, officials said. These data indicate that SGN-70 possesses potent anti-tumor activity and has therapeutic potential in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, officials said.

"Our preclinical studies supplement the objective responses ... in our SGN-40 clinical trials and underscore the potential of SGN-40 as a single agent, as well as in combination with other treatments. SGN-70 represents an exciting future product opportunity that we are advancing toward a planned clinical trial in 2007," Clay B. Siegall, president and chief executive officer, said in the release.

Seattle Genetics is a Bothell, Wash., biotechnology company focused on the development of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer and immunologic diseases.

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