Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Nasdaq: SPPI) announced that preclinical data on SPI-1620 was presented via poster presentations at the International Conference of the AACR-NCI-EORTC on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, being held in San Francisco October 22-26, 2007. SPI-1620 is a drug that is being developed for use with chemotherapy.

“SPI-1620 continues to show preclinical evidence of selectively targeting tumors to increase the uptake of anti-cancer agents, and improve their therapeutic index,” said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “We believe SPI-1620 may have a broad range of applications for use in conjunction with chemotherapy in the treatment of solid tumors. We expect to begin enrolling patients in a Phase 1 open label, dose-escalation study shortly after we receive IRB approval.”

Effect Of SPI-1620 On Tumor Perfusion And Uptake Of Paclitaxel In A Melanoma Model

Tumor bearing animals were randomly grouped to receive either saline or SPI-1620, and received paclitaxel 15 minutes after SPI-1620 was administered. Paclitaxel concentration was determined in the tumor, and in a number of normal tissues.

Mice administered with SPI-1620 increased tumor perfusion by up to approximately 200% from baseline and the effect lasted over 2 hours, compared to no significant change in saline treated mice. SPI-1620 treated mice also had over 5 fold increased concentration of paclitaxel in tumors, and no significant change in normal tissues compared to saline treated animals.

It was concluded that, in mice, SPI-1620 significantly increased tumor blood perfusion, and significantly enhanced the uptake and delivery of paclitaxel to the tumor tissues without affecting other organs.