Fort Worth Company NanOlogy Leads the Way to Treating Prostrate Cancer
Last week, NanOlogy, a Fort Worth-based pharmaceutical company, made headlines when it enrolled its first patient in a Phase 2 clinical trial to test a new chemotherapy method to fight ovarian cancer. This week, the same company is changing the game again: this time to treat prostrate cancer.
27,000 American men die from prostrate cancer each year and about 3 million are currently diagnosed with the disease. Only patients at a higher risk for the disease’s progression are treated while those who are considered “low risk” are monitored closely and not treated. Prostatectomy is a common treatment but it is known for its side effects that decrease a patient’s quality of life, such as incontinence and impotence.
NanOlogy, in contrast, is developing a more convenient alternative with its patented intratumorally-injected NanoPac (nanoparticle paclitaxel). Currently in Phase 2 of its clinical trial, NanoPac will be monitored for its effects on safety and efficacy. Clinical Director of NanOlogy, Shelagh Verco, told Business Wire, “If we are successful, we may offer a treatment option for moderate or high risk patients with localized or non-metastatic disease without a negative impact on quality of life.” While mainstream treatments are limited to metastatic disease, NanOlogy hopes this can treat the disease before metastasis occurs. Dr. Gere diZerega, NanOlogy’s Vice President of Medical Affairs, explained, “Systemically administered paclitaxel has been shown to be effective for prostate cancer but is limited to metastatic disease. This clinical trial is the first study in humans to examine whether NanoPac injected intratumorally will effectively and safely treat the tumor with a high locally sustained concentration of the drug.”
NanOlogy is a collaboration among Fort Worth’s DFB Pharmaceuticals as well as Kansas’ CritiTech and California’s US Biotest. The firm aims to develop and improve the safety and efficacy of drug delivery by using nanoparticle technology to treat cancer. Other projects for the ambitious firm include developing treatments for lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and others.
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