An oral anticancer agent, CX-4945, is now undergoing a Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with multiple myeloma, advanced solid tumors, or a disorder involving non-cancerous tumors called Castleman’s disease.

CX-4945 is first in its class of CK2 inhibitors.  CK2 is an enzyme that plays a role in the development of cancerous cells through many cellular processes such as cell cycle regulation, signaling events between cells, blood vessel formation, inflammation, and cellular proliferation.  Since CK2 is involved in many processes that lead to the development of cancerous cells, CX-4945 may be effective against many types of cancer.

Preclinical studies of CX-4945 have demonstrated safety and tumor regression over a range of doses.  CX-4945 is administered orally twice a day on a four week cycle of three weeks of treatment followed by one week of no treatment.

The primary objectives of this Phase 1 study are to determine safety, tolerability, and dosing of CX-4945.  Efficacy, metabolism, and elimination from the body will also be studied.

For more information on the Phase 1 clinical trial of CX-4945, please visit the Cylene Pharmaceuticals Web site.