Clinical Trial for GI Carcinoid Patients Recruiting through September

Gastrointestinal carcinoid patients who have tumors that either are not suitable for standard treatment or are not responding to standard treatment have the opportunity to enroll in a Phase I/II clinical trial conducted by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals. Enrollment is expected to complete by September 30. Centers in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas are participating in the study.

The study drug contains a type of man-made molecule related to DNA called siRNA (small interfering RNA). This siRNA is designed to reduce the levels of a protein called PLK1 (polo-like kinase 1) inside tumor cells. Because the PLK1 protein is present at high levels in dividing cancer cells it is expected that by reducing PLK1 the study drug may be able to slow down or stop the cancer cells from multiplying. (pictured below is the structure of PLK1)

Participants in the study will undergo 6 cycles of investigational treatment, which are each one month long. A radiological assessment of participants’ tumors will take place at the end of the second month to determine if the cancer is stable, responding to treatment, or growing.

The participating centers are:

Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale, Arizona
Contact Joyce Schafer ? 480-323-1339
joschaffer@shc.org

Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota                                  
Contact: Clinical Trials Office ? 507-538-7623

University of Iowa, Holden Cancer Center, Iowa
Contact Julie Schlabaugh ? 319-356-4797
julie-schlabaugh@uiowa.edu

Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
Contact Helen Jump ?813-745-4834
helen.jump@moffitt.org

University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Michigan
Contact:Julio Garcia-Castro ? 734-647-9437
jgarciac@med.umich.edu

Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
Contact: Bon Lam ? 617-632-5261
BonM_Lam@DFCI.HARVARD.EDU

Westchase Oncology Center, Houston, Texas
Contact: Dr. Mohammad Ali Hamidi ? 713-341-3204
mhamidi@exceldiagnostics.com

For more information about the study, including eligibility requirements, click here or call Tekmira, toll-free, at 1-844-419-3258. To get information regarding reimbursement for lodging, meals and the available travel stipend please contact the treating center nearest you.

To learn more about Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, visit http://www.tekmira.com.

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