Mesothelioma Information

Veglin is aN anti-angiogenesis drug that was developed by VasGene Therapeutics, Inc. Anti-angiogenesis drugs are being developed in an effort to find a functional treatment of malignant mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer caused by asbestos that has thus far proven incurable.  Anti-angiogenesis drugs are designed to halt the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), a process that has been found to play an essential role in the growth and spread (metastasis) of cancerous tumors.

Before Veglin can be marketed for public consumption it must first be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  In order to receive FDA approval Veglin must be proven to be a safe and effective mesothelioma drug.

Veglin Clinical Trials - Early Results

Phase I of the Veglin clinical trial was initiated in 2003 for patients suffering from any type of malignancy who failed to respond to previous treatment modalities.  The primary function of phase I of this trial was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and toxicity profile of the anti-angiogenesis drug.  As of yet, Veglin has not demonstrated any issues related to toxicity, even when dosage levels were significantly increased.

Cancer patients participating in phase I of the Veglin clinical trial were administered the drug intravenously over a two hour period, for five consecutive days. This was followed by seven consecutive days without treatment; the cycle was conducted over the course of a four month period.

Veglin lowered blood levels of a form of VEGF, called VEGF-A, in 47% of participants and yielded a reduction in levels of VEGF-C in 21% of participants.

The results of phase I were reported by VasGene at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in 2004. The report detailed Veglin's phase I success in blocking tumor growth in patients suffering from lymphoma, sarcoma, Karposi's sarcoma and colon and lung cancers.  In some instances, Velgin was successful in stabilizing and/or reducing the previously untreatable malignant tumors.

Phase II of the Veglin clinical trial was initiated in the third quarter of 2004, targeting renal cell carcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma and malignant mesothelioma. Although phase II results have not yet been presented, VasGene researchers are optimistic that they will yield similar successes to those realized in phase I.

Anti-Angiogenesis Drugs - Brief Overview

There are many new anti-angiogenesis drugs currently getting a great deal of attention throughout the medical community because this is a new avenue of approach for attacking cancer cells.  Anti-angiogenesis drugs target the naturally occurring bodily process through which new blood vessels are formed. While angiogenesis is essential in the growth and development of a variety of normal cellular structures, it also plays an essential role in tumor metastasis. Without the aid of oxygen and other essential nutrients, tumors have a "growth ceiling," unable to extend beyond a certain size.

Tumors secrete vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), a family of proteins responsible for initiating angiogenesis. VEGF secretion signals nearby blood vessel growth into a tumor, providing a channel through which it may receive the oxygen and essential nutrients it requires for metastasis.

Anti-angiogenesis drugs target the secretion of VEGF proteins with the intention of inhibiting blood vessel formation. It is believed (and has proven successful in certain animal studies) that by inhibiting blood vessel formation, tumors can be isolated and controlled and malignancy prevented. It is hoped that anti-angiogenesis drugs like Veglin will eventually yield positive results in the treatment of malignancies such as mesothelioma.