Medical Health Encyclopedia

Multiple signal transduction regulators (MSTRs). Phenoxodiol is an MSTR that is being developed as a broad-spectrum anti-cancer drug. It is currently being evaluated in Phase II clinical trials in the United States for its availability to shrink tumors or stop tumor growth in women with ovarian or fallopian cancer who have failed other forms of chemotherapy. Pre-clinical study results showed that phenoxodiol restored sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells to both taxane drugs and platinum agents. Combo phenoxodiol with gemcitabine had a comparable response.

LH-RH Agonists. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormones (LH-RH) agonists (also called GnRH agonists) include leuprolide (Lupron), goserelin (Zoladex), and deslorelin. These agents are able to block the release of two major reproductive hormones, and there is some indication that this action may help prevent cell proliferation.

Immunotherapy. A number of therapies are under investigation that use agents that boost the body's own immune response to specifically attack ovarian cancer cells. To date, they have produced only minor effects. Experimental therapies that are in clinical trials include a vaccinations that use specially designed antibodies (called monoclonal antibodies or MAbs) to boost the immune responses against tumor-associated factors, such as CA125 or HER-2/neu. Vaccines against HERS/neu are also being investigated.

Text Continues Below

---

Gene Therapy. Gene therapies generally work in one of two ways:

• One approach involves genes that are used to convert inactive agents into cancer-fighting drugs.
• The other major approach uses genetic therapies to repair molecular defects that are causing uncontrolled cell proliferation. For example, some investigators are using techniques to deliver a normal p53 gene, which suppresses cancer cell growth, into ovarian cancer cells.