We will conduct clinical trials with a large number of different Biologic Response Modifiers including combinations of agents and approaches. Given our expertise we believe that we are in a particularly good position to conduct Phase I trials of BRM's and have the broad and well established scientific base to appropriately generate and test scientific hypotheses and explore mechanisms of action of current biologic agents. We are in position to test the following: (1) approaches which utilize or modify immunologic mechanism: we have ongoing preclinical and clinical programs encompassing a range of agents and approaches including cytokines, (IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-10 and IL-12), agents modifying the toxicity of cytokines (preclinical studies of NO synthase inhibitors such as amino guanidine, TNF inhibitors such as pentoxifylline), adoptive immunotherapies using antibodies (R24, Bec2) or cellular reagents (TIL, ANK), and cytokine gene therapies (IL-4); (2) approaches using naturally occurring or recombinantly produced regulatory molecules (ongoing clinical protocols of alpha interferon and transretinoic acid (TRA), preclinical studies of antisense molecules directed at fibroblast growth factor for the treatment of melanoma as well as monoclonal antibodies and related constructs (completed clinical trials of RF24 and proposed studies of the anti-idiotypic antibody, Bec-2), and (3) active clinical and preclinical programs in testing differentiation agents such as interferon, TRA and Suramin. (4) More approaches utilizing T-cell defined tumor epitopes in constructing tumor vaccine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01CA074329-03
Application #
2733344
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Wu, Roy S
Project Start
1996-08-16
Project End
2000-06-30
Budget Start
1998-07-01
Budget End
1999-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Demaria, Sandra; Pikarsky, Eli; Karin, Michael et al. (2010) Cancer and inflammation: promise for biologic therapy. J Immunother 33:335-51
Martincic, K; Campbell, R; Edwalds-Gilbert, G et al. (1998) Increase in the 64-kDa subunit of the polyadenylation/cleavage stimulatory factor during the G0 to S phase transition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95:11095-100