Abbott to Present Data on Several Investigational Cancer Treatments at American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) scientists and independent researchers will highlight the latest clinical trial data on four of Abbott's investigational oncology compounds at this year's American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, scheduled for June 4-8 in Chicago. The presentations include data on inhibitors of VEGFR and PDGFR, PARP and bcl-2, and a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CS1. Abbott's oncology pipeline currently includes nine new molecular entities in the clinic, targeting more than 15 different cancers and tumor types.

Meeting abstracts are available online at www.asco.org.

"With more than 12 million cancer patients diagnosed globally each year, we are fighting one of the greatest battles in medicine," said John Leonard, M.D., senior vice president, pharmaceuticals, research and development, Abbott. "The varied nature of the disease requires a diverse approach that includes multiple disease targets in different tumor types, and this is exactly the development path that we have chosen."

Presentation Highlights

Abbott's oncology pipeline consists of several different approaches for a broad range of cancers and, by focusing on some of the most promising areas of cancer research, including bcl-2 and PARP inhibition, Abbott scientists are targeting the processes cancers need to survive in order to advance new treatments.

Abbott data being presented includes two oral presentations on elotuzumab, an antibody designed to bind to the CS1 glycoprotein, a highly expressed cell surface protein in multiple myeloma. Four separate studies of linifanib (ABT-869), which is being studied as an inhibitor of the VEGFR and PDGFR kinase pathways, in advanced renal cell cancer (RCC), advanced solid tumors, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), also will be presented.

Abbott will also present results from a Phase 2 study of navitoclax (ABT-263) in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and independent researchers will present five studies on veliparib (ABT-888), a PARP-inhibitor, including phase 2 data in breast cancer.

Presentations include:

Linifanib (ABT-869)

Phase 2 trial of linifanib in patients with advanced renal cell cancer (RCC) after sunitinib failure; Tannir et al.

• Abstract 4527; Poster Discussion; June 5, 2010; 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Location: E540a; Poster number: 8.
• Discussion: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. in EHall D2.

Linifanib treatment in patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); Phase 2 results; R. A. Soo, et al.

• Abstract 7590; Poster Session; June 6, 2010; 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Location: S Hall A2; Poster number: 41A.

Linifanib phase 2 trial in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); H. C. Toh, et al.

• Abstract 4038; Poster Session; June 6, 2010; 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Location: S Hall A2; Poster number: 18A.

Extended linifanib therapy in patients with advanced solid tumors in a Phase 1 trial; B.C. Goh et al.

• Abstract 3040: Poster Session; June 7, 2010; 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Location: S Hall A2; Poster number: 13E.

Veliparib (ABT-888)

A Phase 2 Trial of veliparib (ABT-888) and temozolomide for metastatic breast cancer; S. J. Isakoff et al.

• Abstract 1019; Poster Discussion; June 5, 2010; 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Location: E540b; Poster number: 8.
• Discussion: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. in E Hall D1.

Preliminary results of a Phase 1 trial of ABT-888, a Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, in combination with Cyclophosphamide; A. Tan et al.

• Abstract 3000; Clinical Science Symposium; June 5, 2010; 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Location: E Arie Crown Theater; Presentation time: 4:45 p.m.

A Phase 1 study of ABT-888 in combination with metronomic cyclophosphamide in adults with refractory solid tumors and lymphomas; S. Kummar et al.

• Abstract 2605; Poster Session; June 7, 2010; 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Location: S Hall A2; Poster board number: 9C.

Targeting Fanconi Anemia (FA) repair pathway deficiency for treatment with PARP inhibitors; W. Zhao et al.

• Abstract TPS168; Trials in Progress Poster Session; June 7, 2010; 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Location: S Hall A2; Poster number: 8.

Pharmacodynamic response in Phase 1 combination study of ABT-888 and Topotecan in adults with refractory solid tumors and lymphomas; J .Ji et al.

• Abstract 2514; Oral Abstract Session; June 8, 2010; 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Location: E354a; Presentation time: 12 p.m.

Navitoclax (ABT-263)

A phase 2a study of ABT-263 in patients with relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC); C.M. Rudin, et al.

• Abstract 7046: Poster Session; June 6, 2010; 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Location: S Hall A2; poster number: 21D.

Elotuzumab (HuLuc63)

Elotuzumab in combination with bortezomib in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: A phase 1 study; A.J. Jakubowiak.

• Abstract 1702; Novel Therapies for Myeloma, oral presentation; June 5, 2010; 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Location: E354a; Presentation time: 5:30 p.m.

Elotuzumab in combination with lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: A phase I/II study; S. Lonial.

• Abstract 1703; Myeloma session, oral presentation; June 6, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Location: Rm E354b; Presentation time: 12 p.m.

Abbott's Oncology Research

Abbott's current pharmaceutical oncology research is focused on developing more targeted, less toxic therapies that improve survival and quality of life for patients living with cancer. Abbott's pipeline addresses multiple phases of cancer progression and targets processes that cancers need to survive, including programmed cell death (apoptosis), new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and travel throughout the body (metastasis).

Kinase Inhibitors (linifanib) – Linifanib is an oral small molecule that provides both potent and specific inhibition of the VEGFR and PDGFR families. Inhibition of the appropriate kinases can suppress tumor growth by preventing the formation and spread of new blood vessels that supply the tumor with oxygen and nutrients, and by inhibiting key angiogenic signaling pathways. Linifanib is in Phase III clinical trials for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and ongoing Phase II trials in renal cell cancer (RCC), solid tumors, non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and selected hematologic malignancies such as leukemia.

PARP Inhibitors (veliparib) – Veliparib is an oral PARP-inhibitor that was discovered and developed by Abbott researchers to prevent DNA repair in cancer cells and increase the effectiveness of common DNA-damaging therapies like chemotherapy or radiation. Veliparib is currently being studied in more than a dozen cancers and tumor types, including Phase II studies in melanoma and breast cancer. Veliparib is also being studied in the I-SPY 2 breast cancer trial, led by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

Bcl-2 Family Protein Inhibitors (navitoclax) – Navitoclax restores apoptosis or programmed cell death, a natural mechanism for the elimination of cancerous cells, by inhibiting the function of Bcl-2 proteins. Bcl-2 regulates apoptosis, as well as tumor formation and tumor growth, and can enable cancer cells to resistance to treatment. Navitoclax is in clinical trials for lymphomas and solid tumors, including small cell lung cancer. Additionally, preclinical data have shown that Bcl-2 family protein inhibitors have the potential to enhance the effects of chemotherapy and radiation used to treat other types of cancer, such as non-small cell lung cancer.

Elotuzumab (HuLuc63) – Elotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to CS1, a cell-surface glycoprotein that is highly expressed on myeloma cells but minimally expressed on normal human cells. Abbott is developing elotuzumab for multiple myeloma in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

Beyond pharmaceutical research, Abbott provides supportive care products and diagnostics related to oncology. The company offers a broad range of pharmaceutical and nutritional products to help people living with cancer, including Juven®, Ensure® and ProSure® to help maintain proper nutrition during and after cancer treatment.

Abbott is also leading developer of cancer diagnostics, including molecular tests based on PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technologies to aid clinicians in the selection of appropriate pharmacogenomic therapies. Abbott's FISH products deliver unsurpassed sensitivity for early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer, as well as the ability to identify patients who may benefit from appropriate therapies, helping to improve outcomes and extend patient survival.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics.  The company employs approximately 83,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.

SOURCE Abbott