Enzon tests Oncaspar, Gemzar in solid tumors, lymphomas

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 1 - Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has started a phase 1 clinical trial of Oncaspar to assess its safety and potential utility in the treatment of advanced solid tumors and lymphomas in combination with Gemzar (gemcitabine HCl for injection).

Enzon also said the Food and Drug Administration completed its review of the company's Investigational New Drug application for the use of recombinant human Mannose-Binding Lectin (rhMBL) for the prevention and treatment of severe infections in patients with multiple myeloma with low levels of MBL undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

Clinical trials are expected to begin enrollment later this year.

MBL deficiency may explain why some but not all individuals who are immunosuppressed develop infectious complications even when they receive prophylactic anti-infectious treatment, the company said in a news release.

Studies have shown a correlation between low MBL levels and susceptibility to serious infections in patients immunosuppressed from chemotherapy, including patients with multiple myeloma undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Enzon is a biopharmaceutical company based in Bridgewater, N.J.

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