Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC) has revealed a case report describing the successful use of Bisantrene to treat childhood relapsed/refractory AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia).
Bisantrene is a small-molecule chemotherapy drug related to anthracyclines, the most frequently prescribed type of cancer drug and first line of treatment for many cancers.
Race owns two patents on Bisantrene, both of which have received notice of allowance in the US, and has been granted an Orphan Drug Designation in the US for AML.
Two girls in France fully respond to treatment
The case report describes two girls in France who were successfully treated with Bisantrene in 1984 and 1991. Both remain alive today.
Race chief executive officer Peter Molloy explained: “One of the girls was seven years old when diagnosed with AML in 1984”
“She had relapsed after multiple lines of standard chemotherapy and was treated with one 7-day course of Bisantrene, followed by other chemotherapy.
“She had a complete response to the treatment, which allowed her to receive a bone marrow transplant. As a result, she’s alive today and the mother of three children.”
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The other girl was 13 years old when diagnosed in 1990 and also had relapsed after multiple lines of standard chemotherapy.
In 1991, she received Bisantrene treatment in combination with two standard chemotherapy agents.
Molloy added: “She also had a complete response, which allowed her to receive a bone marrow graft. Thankfully, she is still alive today and has a three-year old child.”