2016/06/17
This issue of Science magazine (June 17, 2016) featured a column on how malignant tumor cells avoid traditional anti-angiogenesis mechanism and achieve metastasis. In this column, CVM-1118 from TaiRx, Inc. was also mentioned to have the effect of preventing tumor cell metastasis and is ahead of other global big pharmaceutical companies in this field in obtaining clinical confirmation.
In the article, cancer cells have a “DIY” way of simulating microvascular formation. This formation is called vasculogenic mimicry and will allow the cancer cells to bypass traditional angiogenesis and metastasize in other organs. Since the first report of vasculogenic mimicry formation, it took 17 years of debate to finally confirm that these malignant cells are able to survive cancer treatment due to the possibility of possessing cancer stem cells, causing cancer to big the biggest threat to human health.
In the past few years, global pharmaceutical companies have been focusing on anti-angiogenesis treatments such as Avastin and Nexavar to prevent tumor metastasis, but the efficacies of these treatments have been underwhelming due to the formation of vasculogenic mimicry. Thus, treatments that can also eliminate this unique formation of vasculogenic mimicry will become the focus of research target for these pharmaceutical companies in the future.
TaiRx, Inc., a Taiwanese biotech company, is able to lead the charge in this field of research. CVM-1118 not only has potent inhibition of tumor growth, it also has the unique capability of preventing vasculogenic mimicry formation. Science also pointed out that it will be a major milestone for anti-cancer mechanism research, if CVM-1118 can be confirmed in clinical trials. TaiRx’s new drug was discovered domestically in Taiwan and was approved by the US FDA to conduct Phase I clinical trials in both the United States and Taiwan. TaiRx’s main goal is to find the best treatment to fight cancer. We are excited to be able to contribute to this war on cancer and hope that our drug will be successful in the near future and that cancer will no longer be an uncontrollable disease.
Tumors’ do-it-yourself blood vessels. Science 17 Jun 2016: Vol. 352, Issue 6292, pp. 1381-1383. DOI: 10.1126/science.352.6292.1381