Oncology Researchers Recognized as Heroes of Chemistry
12 September 2006 - 12:16AM
PR Newswire (US)
American Chemical Society Honors Lilly and Princeton Scientists for
Discovery of Therapy for Asbestos-Related Cancer INDIANAPOLIS,
Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Three researchers who led the
discovery and development of the first drug approved to treat
malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a cancer associated with
exposure to asbestos, were named as Heroes of Chemistry by the
American Chemical Society (ACS). Researchers Homer Pearce, Ph.D.,
Chuan (Joe) Shih, Ph.D., and Edward C. Taylor, Ph.D., led a
long-standing collaboration between Eli Lilly and Company and
Princeton University that resulted in the compound ALIMTA(R)
(pemetrexed for injection), the first drug ever approved for the
treatment of MPM. ALIMTA, in combination with cisplatin, is
indicated for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural
mesothelioma whose disease is unresectable or who are otherwise not
candidates for curative surgery. The scientists received the award
on September 10 at the ACS national meeting in San Francisco.
"Heroes save lives and change them for the better," said ACS
President E. Ann Nalley, Ph.D. "This year's Heroes of Chemistry
have improved our lives through their inventions. We at ACS
celebrate them and the corporate management that supports
innovations that bring the benefits of chemistry to us all, every
day." The Heroes of Chemistry program, initiated by ACS in 1996,
highlights the vital work of industrial chemical scientists and
their companies in improving human welfare through successful
commercial breakthroughs and products. This year's Heroes of
Chemistry award honors scientists whose innovations have led to the
benefit and progress of humanity in the past decade. Although just
approved for MPM in 2004, the rich history of the discovery of
ALIMTA dates back to the 1940s, demonstrating the life-long
commitment often needed in drug discovery. In the 1940s,
researchers found that certain molecules that interfere with folic
acid might delay the spread of cancer by disrupting the ability of
tumors to process the folates that are necessary for cell survival.
In December 1985, Princeton's Taylor began a long-term
collaboration with scientists at Lilly to further evaluate the
promise of these molecules that resulted in several potential
drugs. The Lilly team, led by Pearce and Shih, closely examined the
biochemical properties of the molecule that would become ALIMTA.
The team found that this exciting molecule could simultaneously
target and block at least three key folate-requiring enzymes
(thymidylate synthetase; dihydrofolate reductase; and glycinamide
ribonucleotide formyltransferase) that cancer cells need for cell
division and tumor growth. The Lilly-Princeton collaborators
theorized that this multi-targeted action was the reason for the
compound's potentially promising anti-tumor activity in
mesothelioma. More than a decade after the partnership was formed,
following additional development and pivotal clinical trials,
ALIMTA received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in
2004, bringing new hope to patients suffering from MPM. ALIMTA is
also paving the way for the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow. A
new state-of-the-art chemistry building at Princeton University was
financed by royalty payments from Lilly to Princeton based on the
commercial success of ALIMTA. This guarantees that a new generation
of innovative scientists will follow in the footsteps of Drs.
Pearce, Shih and Taylor. About the Researchers * Texas-born Homer
Pearce, Ph.D., spent the last 27 years discovering and developing
cancer therapies at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis. Pearce
received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Harvard University in
1979. In addition to his renowned leadership in clinical research,
Pearce is recognized as an avid supporter of cancer education and
patient advocacy, evidenced by his service as board member for the
Little Red Door Cancer Agency, Indianapolis Hope Lodge and the
American Cancer Society Foundation - Great Lakes Region. Pearce,
now retired, is a former vice president of cancer research at
Lilly. * Born in Taiwan, and the son of a physician, Chuan (Joe)
Shih, Ph.D., is a distinguished research fellow at Lilly. Shih
received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from The Ohio State
University in 1982. Shih attests to a fascination with the
composition of life and the matters that surround us as his driving
motivation to pursue a life-long career in chemistry and clinical
research. * Perhaps one of the most renowned chemists today, Edward
C. Taylor, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus with the Princeton
University Department of Chemistry. Taylor received a Ph.D. in
organic chemistry from Cornell University in 1949. Taylor is the
author of over 450 scientific papers and 52 U.S. patents on
heterocyclic chemistry, organothallium chemistry, natural product
chemistry, medicinal chemistry and synthetic methodology. About
ALIMTA and Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) ALIMTA is an
antifolate that simultaneously blocks three separate enzyme targets
important to the formation of basic building blocks by which cancer
cells grow and divide. In February 2004, ALIMTA, in combination
with cisplatin, became the first and only chemotherapy drug
approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with malignant
pleural mesothelioma (MPM) whose disease is unresectable or who are
otherwise not candidates for curative surgery. The tumor in this
particularly lethal cancer actually surrounds the lung, so as the
tumor grows the dynamics of breathing are limited because the lungs
are squeezed and the diaphragm is depressed. In many cases, the
effects of MPM lead patients to die due to internal suffocation.
Each year, there are 3,000 new cases in the US and 10,000-15,000
new cases globally. The incidence rate is expected to increase due
to a latency period of 20-50 years. ALIMTA Facts * In the two years
since its first approval, ALIMTA has been approved in 70 countries
for MPM * ALIMTA is a demonstration of modern-day chemotherapy as
it is delivered via a 10-minute infusion Important Safety
Information Myelosuppression is usually the dose-limiting toxicity
with ALIMTA therapy. Contraindication ALIMTA is contraindicated in
patients who have a history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to
pemetrexed or to any other ingredient used in the formulation.
Warnings Patients must be instructed to take folic acid and vitamin
B12 with ALIMTA as a prophylaxis to reduce treatment-related
hematologic and GI toxicities. ALIMTA should not be administered to
patients with a creatinine clearance < 45 mL/min. One patient
with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 19 mL/min) who
did not receive folic acid and vitamin B12 died of drug-related
toxicity following administration of ALIMTA alone. ALIMTA can
suppress bone marrow function, as manifested by neutropenia,
thrombocytopenia, and anemia (or pancytopenia). Pregnancy Category
D-ALIMTA may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant
woman. Precautions Complete blood cell counts, including platelet
counts and periodic chemistry tests, should be performed on all
patients receiving ALIMTA. Patients should not begin a new cycle of
treatment unless the ANC is > 1500 cells/mm3 and the platelet
count is > 100,000 cells/mm3. Pretreatment with dexamethasone or
its equivalent has been reported to reduce the incidence and
severity of skin rash. The effect of third space fluid, such as
pleural effusion and ascites, on ALIMTA is unknown. In patients
with clinically significant third space fluid, consideration should
be given to draining the effusion prior to ALIMTA administration.
Caution should be used when administering ibuprofen concurrently
with ALIMTA to patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency
(creatinine clearance from 45 to 79 mL/min). Patients with mild to
moderate renal insufficiency should avoid taking NSAIDs with short
elimination half-lives for a period of 2 days before, the day of,
and 2 days following administration of ALIMTA. In the absence of
data regarding potential interaction between ALIMTA and NSAIDs with
longer half- lives, all patients taking these NSAIDs should
interrupt dosing for at least 5 days before, the day of, and 2 days
following ALIMTA administration. If concomitant administration of
an NSAID is necessary, patients should be monitored closely for
toxicity, especially myelosuppression, renal and gastrointestinal
toxicities. Concomitant administration of nephrotoxic drugs or
substances that are tubularly secreted could result in delayed
clearance of ALIMTA. It is recommended that nursing be discontinued
if the mother is being treated with ALIMTA. ALIMTA should be
administered under the supervision of a qualified physician
experienced in the use of antineoplastic agents. Dose adjustments
may be necessary in patients with hepatic insufficiency. Dosing and
Modification Guidelines Dose adjustments at the start of a
subsequent cycle should be based on nadir hematologic counts or
maximum nonhematologic toxicity from the preceding cycle of
therapy. Modify or suspend therapy according to the Dosage
Reduction Guidelines in the full Prescribing Information. Adverse
Events The most common adverse events (grades 3/4) with ALIMTA in
combination with cisplatin for the treatment of patients with MPM
were neutropenia (24%); leukopenia (16%); anemia (6%);
thrombocytopenia (5%); infection without neutropenia (2%); fatigue
(17%); thrombosis/embolism (6%); nausea (12%); vomiting (11%);
dyspnea (11%); and chest pain (9%). The most common clinically
relevant adverse events (all grades) were fatigue (80%);
thrombosis/embolism (7%); nausea (84%); vomiting (58%);
constipation (44%); anorexia (35%); stomatitis/pharyngitis (28%);
diarrhea (26%); dyspnea (66%); chest pain (40%); and rash (22%).
Copies of the package insert can be obtained via
http://www.alimta.com/ or calling 1-800-LILLY-RX (545-5979). Lilly
Oncology, a Division of Eli Lilly and Company For more than four
decades, Lilly Oncology has been collaborating with cancer
researchers to deliver innovative treatment choices and valuable
programs to patients and physicians. Inspired by courageous
patients living with cancer, Lilly Oncology is providing treatments
that are considered global standards of care and developing a broad
portfolio of novel targeted therapies to accelerate the pace and
progress of cancer care. To learn more about Lilly's commitment to
cancer, please visit http://www.lillyoncology.com/. About Eli Lilly
and Company Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is
developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class
pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its
own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent
scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind.,
Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for
some of the world's most urgent medical needs. O-LLY ALIMTA(R)
(pemetrexed for injection), Lilly (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO DATASOURCE:
Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Gregory L. Clarke of Lilly,
+1-317-276-5222 (office), +1-317-554-7119 (mobile),
Copyright