The Lynne Cohen Foundation in the News

The Lynne Cohen Foundation For Ovarian Cancer Research

LYNNE COHEN FELLOWSHIP FUNDS ENCOURAGING OVARIAN CANCER STUDIES AT NYU'S KAPLAN CANCER CENTER

LOS ANGELES, February 24, 2000 - The Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research announced its donation of $140,000 to fund The Lynne Cohen Fellowship at the Kaplan Comprehensive Cancer Center of NYU School of Medicine. The Fellowship is providing the seed money for Dr. Anne Hamilton to explore new combinations with the liposomal drug Doxil as well as new routes of administration (e.g., intraperitoneal) for the topoisomerase I inhibitor, Topotecan. Doxil, the latest among a handful of ovarian cancer drugs that have become available within the last five years, helps extend patients' lives.

The combination of Doxil with Topotecan has given rise to striking preliminary results in ovarian cancer treatment during Phase I Clinical trials. These results, updated from the Abstract to be published in the May 2000 issue of the proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, show that of the twelve patients treated at NYU, two had complete remissions, two had partial remissions, and two had minor responses. One patient had disease progression and it is too early in treatment to report on the remaining five. According to Franco M. Muggia, M.D., Director of Medical Oncology and Program Director of the Cancer Center, The regimen has a good safety profile. The responses have been long (continuing) and occurring in patients with refractory disease. The patients who have responded are still receiving the drugs and there is no evidence of neuropathy. We believe this to be an excellent second-line regimen. Effective second?line regimens with good toxicity profiles are urgently needed in the treatment of ovarian cancer became the majority of women who are diagnosed and then receive the Platinum-Paclitaxel standard treatment eventually have recurrences. Moreover, lack of toxicity to peripheral nerves is a distinct advantage to any second-line treatment because Platinum and Paclitaxel treatments may be associated with residual nerve damage.

The results of the Phase I Clinical trials of Doxil combined with Cisplatin will also be published as an Abstract in the May 2000 issue of the proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Two out of two patients with stage III fallopian tube cancer are in a prolonged, unmaintained remission of two years and six months since cessation of treatment. These results hint that this will be a very active first-line regimen. By targeting the liposomes carrying antitumor agents to tumor sites, the therapies may be delivered more effectively with considerably less toxicity. The skin and oral toxicities of Doxil also appeared less severe in combination with Cisplatin than as a single agent.

Founded in 1998, the Los Angeles-based Lynne Cohen Foundation is dedicated to providing seed money for startup research in ovarian cancer. It was created by the three daughters (in their 20's) of Lynne Cohen who had recently passed away (at age 53) after a difficult but courageous five-year struggle with the disease. The sisters' mission is to keep their mom's memory alive while helping other women from having to endure the same pain and hardship as she did. Last October, the Foundation provided the startup funds for a much?needed ovarian cancer early detection test ("LPA") being developed at the Cleveland symposium. And at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in early February, they funded an ongoing ovarian cancer trial of the drug IM862, an anti-angiogenic compound administered in a nose drop. By providing the seed money for exciting and innovative ideas, the Lynne Cohen Foundation acts as a springboard to help doctors conduct ovarian cancer research which would otherwise be prohibitive.

Ovarian cancer is considered the most deadly gynecological cancer, killing approximately 14,000 women each year. By funding The Lynne Cohen Fellowship at NYU's Kaplan Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Lynne Cohen Foundation elucidates its extraordinary commitment to support research that will improve the quality of life and increase the survival of women with ovarian cancer.

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