ASTRO: Angiostatin May Enhance Radiation's Effects Against Cancer [11/10/2001; Doctor's Guide] SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- November 8, 2001 -- The results of the first clinical trial to test radiation therapy with the new cancer drug, angiostatin, indicate the combination is safe and has few side effects. The finding was presented today at the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), in San Francisco, California. Angiostatin is one of a new promising class of drugs that were designed to halt the growth of blood vessels that feed cancerous tumors by cutting off the supply of blood to the tumor. Researchers from Jefferson Medical College administered angiostatin intravenously to 15 patients five times per week for up to seven weeks. The subjects all had tumors associated with head and neck, thoracic, or pelvic region cancers and were between the ages of 35 and 70 years. They were treated at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. The drug was given one hour prior to radiation therapy. The Phase I clinical trial was designed to determine the safety of the drug for future widespread use on cancer patients. The team of researchers found that the patients suffered no significant side effects and all had a partial or complete response to the radiation and drug treatment. They concluded that a daily 10-minute infusion of 15 mg/m2 the drug is a safe dose for a variety of cancer patients. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.