NCCN recently received a research grant from Allos Therapeutics, Inc. to evaluate the role of pralatrexate in the treatment of select hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Pralatrexate is the only agent currently approved by the FDA to treat patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Investigators from NCCN Member Institutions are eligible to apply for the research funding.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has been awarded a research grant from Allos Therapeutics, Inc. to support clinical studies of pralatrexate (FOLOTYN(TM), Allos Therapeutics, Inc.) in the treatment of select hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
Pralatrexate was recently approved by the FDA to treat patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is relatively uncommon, but particularly aggressive. Clinical trials supported by this grant will focus on evaluating innovative single agent and combination studies of pralatrexate in Burkitt's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, specific indolent lymphomas, ovarian cancer, head and neck cancer, prostate cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer.
"NCCN is committed to enhancing cancer care by evaluating new agents such as pralatrexate to determine their full potential in treating several types of cancer," says William T. McGivney, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "Through this research grant from Allos Therapeutics, Inc., we are pleased to provide NCCN Member Institutions with an opportunity to take part in innovative cancer research with the hope that their work will ultimately benefit patients with cancer."
Pralatrexate is a chemotherapy drug classified as an antifolate that works by interfering with the ability of cancer cells to divide, resulting in cell death. It is a targeted therapy that is designed to accumulate preferentially in cancer cells.
"Our collaboration represents a unique opportunity to benefit from the research expertise of NCCN and the NCCN Member Institutions, as we explore the potential of investigator initiated clinical studies of FOLOTYN," said Paul L. Berns, President and Chief Executive Officer at Allos Therapeutics, Inc. "We are pleased to support an organization that shares our commitment to innovative cancer research."
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