Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is supposed to be an aggressive cancer which apparently originates in the cortex of the adrenal gland. ACC is said to be quite uncommon and apparently affects about 2 percent of the population. A research from TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare supposedly announced the beginning of a clinical trial for a drug intended to fight ACC. TCRS is said to be a premeditated association between the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare.
Other than surgery, the only treatment for ACC is believed to be the challenging use of a compound known as mitotane, a chemical relative of DDT, which the U.S. apparently debarred as an insecticide in 1972. TCRS clinicians wish that the new compound, OSI-906, developed by OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Melville, N.Y., may halt ACC tumor growth and maybe even help tumor shrinkage, without the toxic side effects of present chemotherapies. The trial may center on patients with terminal tumors, which have apparently relapsed or failed to react to usual therapies.
This clinical trial of OSI-906 is likely to last numerous years and apparently includes about 135 patients, with around 30-40 were enlisted at TCRS. As there is no regular therapy on hand, roughly two-thirds of the patients may be given the drug OSI-906 while approximately one-third may receive a placebo.
Dr. Michael J. Demeure, who will oversee the trial locally, is a TGen Senior Investigator and a Scottsdale Healthcare surgeon experienced in removing ACC tumors, commented, It’s a big operation requiring a large incision because these tumors can be the size of a football. Unfortunately many patient’s tumors have spread so we can’t remove it all, so new treatments are needed. This unique partnership between Scottsdale Healthcare and TGen allows us to bring the newest and most promising treatments to patients with cancer right here in Arizona.”
The adrenal glands are said to be accountable for making various crucial hormones, as well as cortisol, which the body may require in order to react to stress and which could assist in maintaining normal blood sugar levels in children. While use of mitotane in ACC patients may decrease tumors, it may also reduce adrenal gland function, necessitating patients to apparently take hormone replacements throughout their life. In addition, mitotane ought to be administered for at least three months in order to arrive at a therapeutic level. When given with other chemotherapy drugs, the efficiency of mitotane may be better, but patients frequently undergo debilitating side effects. OSI-906 is said to be an orally accessible small molecule IGF-1R inhibitor that could obstruct the chemical pathway that may otherwise let the ACC tumors grow out of control. OSI-906 is believed to have negligible effect on the healthy tissue of the adrenal glands or their standard function.
Dr Demure mentioned, “Patients with rare tumors have unique challenges. Often it is difficult for them to find a doctor who even knows about their disease. What we learn taking care of those patients with ACC could help us to learn how to take care of others with rare tumors.”
For 3 ½ years, this clinical trial followed the research at TGen. This was conducted due to the efforts of patient advocate and ACC survivor, Mr. Troy Richards. He has apparently battled ACC since 1999. He started the Advancing Treatments for Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ATAC) fund, which assisted in backing the ACC Research Program at TGen.
Richards remarked, “The ACC project at TGen has finally given those of us with the disease hope for better treatments, and maybe one day a cure. It is my hope that this program can serve as a model for other rare diseases, and that patients will realize they do have the power to make a difference.”
This trial is yet to start and everybody is waiting for it to begin. If the trial is successful it may provide a lot of hope for ACC patients.