Hemispherx Biopharma Inc., a US-based biopharmaceutical company recently announced having treated its first patient with Ampligen in combination with Cisplatin & Pembrolizumab, in a phase 2 ovarian cancer clinical trial.

As per credible sources, the study is evaluating Hemispherx' patented experimental drug Ampligen in combination with cisplatin and pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 check-point blockade therapy, under the leadership of principal investigator Robert Edwards. The study is expected to treat 45 patients. It is a second periodic ovarian cancer trial of Ampligen at University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC).

For the record, Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company, focused on R&D of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancer. The company’s flagship product includes Ampligen and Alferon N Injection. Based on pre-clinical studies & clinical trials of Amligen, Hemispherx concluded the drug to have broad-spectrum anti-cancer & anti-viral properties. Already conducted clinical trials of Ampligen includes studies of potential treatment of cancer patients with malignant melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.

As per sources close to the matter, a phase 1/2 study was initiated approximately 3 years ago & is near completion of the phase 1 portion. The clinical outcome from initial phase 1/2 clinical trial of recurring ovarian cancer is being drafted by Dr. Edwards' team.

Dr. Edwards, chairman of gynecology services at UPMC’s Magee-Women's Hospital, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Services at UPMC, was reported to say that the initial trial of Ampligen indicates that the drug is generally well-tolerated through intraperitoneal supervision and thus paved way for the new phase 2 study, combining Ampligen with pembrolizumab. Ampligen contains strong killer T-cell that can stay in tumor microenvironment without attracting regulatory T cells. The drug has the potential to be clinically significant by helping optimize barrier block induced tumor shrinkage.

Thomas K. Equels, CEO, Hemispherx, was reportedly quoted saying that Ovarian cancer is anticipated to kill 152,000 women this year world-wide. In the new study Hemispherx & the team at Magee-Women's Hospital of UPMC are focused on developing a life-saving therapy to meet this critical need.

Source credits: https://hemispherx.irpass.com/Hemispherx-Biopharma-Announces-First-Patient-Treated-in-Phase-2-Ovarian-Cancer-Clinical-Trial-Evalua