Celsion Corporation (Nasdaq: CLSN) today announced that Dr. Ronnie T.P. Poon from the University of Hong Kong and lead principal investigator for the Asia Pacific region of the Phase I ThermoDox® dose escalation trial will hold a press conference on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 10:30 AM HKT (Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:30 PM ET) to discuss the long-term follow-up of patients treated from April 2006 to December 2006. The majority of the cancer patients Dr. Poon enrolled were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the same indication currently being evaluated in the global Phase III HEAT Study of ThermoDox® with RFA, for which Dr. Poon also serves as the lead investigator for the Asia Pacific region.
"We first began studying ThermoDox in combination with RFA for liver cancer in a multi-center 24-patient Phase I safety study, with seven patients treated at our institution here in Hong Kong," said Dr. Ronnie T.P. Poon. "Not only did we witness safety and a dose response relationship, but more importantly, at least one of these patients who received the higher dose of ThermoDox continues to be tumor-free three years after treatment, which is remarkable for HCC patients. This initial experience has led me to remain committed to overseeing the Phase III global HCC study, and we expect to complete enrollment this year."
"Dr. Poon's leadership and contribution to evaluating HCC patients in our Phase I study was instrumental to our pursuit of the Phase III HEAT study," said Michael H. Tardugno, President & Chief Executive Officer of Celsion Corporation. "The remarkable proof of clinical activity seen here leads us to believe ThermoDox has the potential to improve the lives of hundred of thousands of patients suffering from HCC in Asia and throughout the world if ThermoDox is approved."
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