ASA404: update on drug development

Abstract

Background: Interrupting tumour blood flow and delivery of nutrients to cause tumour death is the aim of antiangiogenic and vascular disrupting agents (VDAs). ASA404 is the first VDA to enter Phase III trials. Objective: We review the preclinical and clinical data on this interesting agent and consider its place in modern therapeutics. Methods: PubMed database was searched for ‘ASA404’, ‘AS1404’, ‘DMXAA’, ‘vascular disrupting agents’, ‘ASA404 clinical trials’, ‘AS1404 clinical trials’, ‘DMXAA clinical trials’. Results/conclusions: ASA404 is a tumour VDA that is well tolerated and has shown promise in the treatment of NSCLC in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin. A confirmatory Phase III trial is currently ongoing.

Keywords::

• antivascular agents
• ASA404
• tumour blood vessel
• tumour vasculature
• vascular disrupting agents
• vascular targeting