VioQuest begins phase 1/2a trial of VQD-002 in solid tumors

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., May 24 - VioQuest Pharmaceuticals has begun a phase 1/2a clinical trial to assess the safety and dosing of VQD-002, triciribine-phosphate (TCN-P) in up to 20 patients with solid tumors, where abnormal levels of phosphorylated Akt (protein kinase B) have been observed.

"This clinical trial, which is tailored only to those patients whose cancers have aberrantly activated Akt, is truly at the forefront of molecularly targeted trials and personalized medicine," said Said M. Sebti, co-inventor of VQD-002 from the University of South Florida, in a news release.

"Based on our preclinical studies, we hope that by enriching for patients whose tumors have hyperactivated Akt, the clinical response rate to triciribine will be enhanced."

VQD-002, a targeted tricyclic nucleoside, was developed by the National Cancer Institute and is currently being developed at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.

In preclinical studies, VQD-002 has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in breast, ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic and other cancers that demonstrate an over-expression of phosphorylated Akt, the company said.

Located in Basking Ridge, N.J., VioQuest acquires, develops and commercializes targeted late preclinical and early clinical-stage therapies for oncology, viral and autoimmune disorders.

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