A Phase III Study of Xilonix in Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer

In the setting of refractory, metastatic disease a complete resolution of tumor burden is not a reasonable expectation. Instead, the primary goal of anti-tumor therapy at this stage is to eliminate or reduce the symptomatic effects of the tumor, while trying to prolong survival for as long as possible. Due to treatment related morbidity however, few treatment modalities are ideal for this objective. Even with the most recent targeted agents (such as multi-kinase inhibitors), drug related toxicities frequently lead to relatively short treatment durations. With discontinuation of therapy, disease progression is uncontrolled and prognosis is poor. New agents that control disease progression-while improving tumor-related symptoms, rather than causing significant therapy related morbidity-are vitally needed to treat patients with advanced cancer, including those with colorectal cancer. An approach has been taken to develop such an agent using a monoclonal antibody to block the chronic inflammation involved in both malignant disease progression and constitutional symptoms. Xilonix™ is expected to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis by interrupting crucial signals that drive angiogenesis and invasiveness. The antibody therapy may also block tumor microenvironment infiltration by leukocytes (such as myeloid suppressor cells) that suppress antitumor immunity, enabling better host immune control of the disease. In addition to local effects on the tumor, Xilonix™ is expected to work systemically to correct the metabolic dysregulation, fatigue and anxiety mediated by chronic inflammatory signaling to the central nervous system.