New Clinical Trials For Lung Cancer Patients (NAPSA)—Newclinical trials are studying the safety of a treatment for patients with late stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer is the most common cancer- related death among adults, and accounts for about 29 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States. The majority of people, nearly 70 percent, diagnosed with lung cancerare over the age of 65. There are risk factors that increase the chance of developing lung cancer, including smoking which is noted by the ACS as the largest risk factor for lung cancer. While researchers are making important strides in the early detection and prevention of lung cancer, there still remainsa significant need to develop medications to treat the disease. Nearly 85 percent of lung cancer patients are diagnosed with NSCLC. There are three types of NSCLC known as squamouscell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma. These sub-types differ in size, shape and make-up of tumors. NSCLC is also divided into stages which provide physicians and oncologists guidance to deter- mine the appropriate treatment for patients. Various tests are used to examine the lungsto diagnose and stage non-small cell lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) lists the following stages in order of disease progression: Occult (hidden) Stage, Stage 0, Questions to ask your doctor: Whattype of lung cancer do | have? Can you explain what stage my cancer is and what this means? What treatmentoptions are available to me, given my particular case? Are there anyclinical trials | can participate in? @ Stage I, Stage II, Stage IIIA, Stage IIIB, Stage IV. According to the ACS these stages can be generally characterized as the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means a more serious cancer. Although there are treatments available, there is much workstill to be done. Researchers across the United States have begun new clinical trials to study the efficacy and safety of treatments for lung cancer patients in all stages of the disease. A company in Boston, called Point Therapeutics, is conducting clinical trials in Stage IIIB/IV NSCLC with a new drug candidate called talabostat. Talabostat is an oral, anti-cancer agent that is believed to prevent tumor growth and metastasis while also strengthening the immune system. The first trial studies talabostat in combination with Taxotere (Sanofi-Aventis) and the second trial studies talabostat in combination with Alimta (Eli Lilly). If you or someone you know has late stage NSCLC and you would like more information on the Point Therapeutics’ clinical trials, please call this toll free number 866-4024723.
