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Name of the Trial

Phase III Randomized Study of Induction Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy with or without AE-941 (Neovastat) in Patients With Unresectable Stage IIIA or IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (MDA-ID-99303). See the protocol summary ³.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Charles Lu Principal Investigator

Dr. Charles Lu of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Why This Trial Is Important

Patients who have advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that cannot be removed surgically (unresectable) are often treated with platinum-based chemotherapy agents and radiation therapy in an attempt to prolong their survival.

Like other solid tumors, NSCLCs require a constant supply of blood to grow. Drugs that block the formation of new blood vessels to tumors are called angiogenesis inhibitors. Such drugs may help cancer patients survive longer. In this trial, researchers are studying the ability of AE-941 (Neovastat®), a liquid extract of shark cartilage that has angiogenesis inhibitor activity, to improve the survival of patients with unresectable NSCLC when given in combination with traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

"What is different about this study is that we are using a standardized extract from cartilage instead of a drug devised from a single molecule," said Dr. Lu. "Thus, Neovastat may offer a combination of molecules that work together to inhibit angiogenesis."

"Data from animal studies support the hypothesis that this extract has antiangiogenic activity and that it may inhibit certain enzymes involved in cancer cell metastasis, such as matrix metalloproteinases 2, 9, and 12," Dr. Lu added.

Contact Information

This clinical trial is no longer recruiting new patients. To find other clinical trials for lung cancer, search the NCI's database of clinical trials ¹ or call the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). The call is toll-free and completely confidential.

Published Results

Lu C, Komaki R, Herbst RS, et al.: A phase III study of AE-941 with induction chemotherapy (IC) and concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (NCI T99-0046, RTOG 02-70, MDA 99-303): an interim report of toxicity and response. [Abstract] J Clin Oncol 23 (Suppl 16): A-7144, 656s, 2005.

Glossary Terms

The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a “metastatic tumor” or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumor contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural form of metastasis is metastases (meh-TAS-tuh-SEEZ).