Investigators remain cautious in their remarks about the drug that has generated national publicity and great public interest.
Investigators show that patients tolerated the drug well, with few toxic side effects.
The Phase I clinical trial seeks to determine the safety of Endostatin and to determine the dose at which it can be given effectively. To best determine this optimal biologic dose, the study analyzed a large panel of surrogate tissue and radiologic endpoints on every patient. According to Dr. Roy Herbst, principal investigator of the M. D. Anderson study, patients were given graduated doses of Endostatin daily for 20 minutes with intravenous infusion. The trial continues at this time with limited enrollment and is expected to conclude within the next few months. Preliminary results of the M. D. Anderson trial describe the experience of 20 patients with varied diagnoses which include breast cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer, colon cancer, renal cell carcinoma and sarcoma.