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The experimental drug Telintra improves blood counts and is well-tolerated in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, according to a Phase 2 trial conducted at multiple American cancer centers.

The study authors also found that patients taking Telintra (ezatiostat hydrochloride) who had prior Revlimid (lenalidomide) treatment showed better results than patients previously treated with Vidaza (azacitidine) or Dacogen (decitabine).

The trial results were presented by Dr. Azra Raza of Columbia University Medical Center in New York City during a poster session on Sunday at the 2010 meeting of the American Society…

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Telik Announces Phase 1 Study Of Telintra And Revlimid Combination Therapy for Myelodysplastic Syndromes Patients — Telik, Inc. announced the start of a Phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerable dose of Telintra (ezatiostat hydrochloride) in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients.  Thirty low to intermediate-1 risk MDS patients will receive Telintra in increasing doses.  The drug has recently shown positive results for MDS patients as a single agent, either orally or by intravenous injection, and continues to be evaluated as a single agent in a separate Phase 2 study.  For more information, please see the Telik press release.

Company Developing Sapacitabine For Treatment Of Myelodysplastic Syndromes To Raise Millions In Direct Offerings — Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced plans on January 21 to raise up to $7.9 million in capital through registered direct offerings to its investors. The company is currently testing sapacitabine for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and several other cancers. Interim results of an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial in MDS were presented at the recent American Society of Hematology annual meeting (see related Beacon news). For more information, please see the Cyclacel press release.

Understanding Clinical Trials For Blood Cancers Like Myelodysplastic Syndromes, LLS Web Seminar — The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is sponsoring an online seminar (webinar) titled “Understanding Clinical Trials For Blood Cancers” on Thursday, January 28, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Dr. Karen Yee will explain clinical trials in detail, including how they are organized, safety concerns, and how myelodysplastic syndromes patients can participate. Registration is required.  For more information, please visit the LLS Web site.

For a more detailed listing of MDS-related events, please check the MDS Beacon Events Calendar.

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Lorus Therapeutics Announces Japanese Patent Protection For LOR-2040 – Canadian biopharmaceutical company Lorus Therapeutics announced Wednesday that it now has patent protection in Japan for its cancer-treatment drug LOR-2040.   The drug is currently involved in clinical trials for acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.  For more information, please see the Lorus Therapeutics press release.

Telik Publishes Positive Results Of Telintra In MDS Patients – Telik, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company located in Palo Alto, CA, announced Monday that they published positive results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of Telintra (ezatiostat hydrochloride) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients.  Telintra has been shown to improve cytopenias in MDS and chemotherapy patients.  For more information, please see the Telik press release.

Leukemia Cup Regatta – The Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, NY will hold its 2009 Leukemia Cup Regatta on August 15 and 16, hosted by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  The Leukemia Cup Regatta is an annual series of sailing races across the United States to raise money to fight leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Participating sailors race in honor of a community member who has blood cancer. For details, please visit the LLS Web site.

Team In Training Season Kicks Off – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training (TNT) program will hold kick-off meetings in Durham, SC and Minnetonka, MN on August 13. Attend the kick-off parties to meet staff, mentors, team members, and patients, or learn more about TNT, the world’s largest endurance sport training program.  All TNT event fundraising supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.   For more information, please see the LLS events page for Durham and Minnetonka.

For a more detailed listing of MDS-related events, please check the MDS Beacon Events Calendar.