The biotech company Advancell – specialized in nanomedicine and cell methods for in vitro research, and located at the Barcelona Science Park- has signed an agreement with the company Nobera Pharma for the development of a drug aimed at treating palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, also known as the hand-foot syndrome, a very frequent side effect in cancer patients which leads to the reduction and even interruption of chemotherapy, decreasing possibilities for survival.

The drug –which was initially discovered and patented by Nobera Pharma, a company specialized in innovation related to clinical oncology practice- is currently in the pre-clinical phase, and it is forecasted that clinical studies will begin during the first trimester of 2010. Its objective is to ensure that patients complete their chemotherapy treatment before the expected pause, as well as to substantially improve their quality of life during treatment.

Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia is a relatively frequent skin reaction to chemotherapy in which painful erythema develops on the hands and soles of the feet. Worsening of the syndrome leads to peeling, blisters, ulcers and severe pain, and can interfere with basic functions such as walking or handling objects. In more serious cases, it is the leading cause of chemotherapy dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment.

At present there is no effective pharmacological therapy for palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia given that its mechanism of action is not clearly understood: hence, the development of this new drug would solve a very important problem in oncology. In Spain, approximately 18,000 patients suffer the consequences of this side effect. Specifically, close to 40% of patients who develop palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia are forced to reduce their treatment dose, and it is calculated that nearly 15% must completely stop treatment.

Advancell is a biotech company boasting its own technology and continuous innovation, and a business model that enables it to considerably decrease costs, risks and drug development time. It currently has three divisions: Advancell Therapeutics, which focuses its activity on the stages spanning from development to clinical concept tests of innovative drugs by researching new applications for already known molecules; Advancell Alternative Testing, which employs cell-based in vitro methods to predict the efficacy, safety and mechanism of action of molecules that are being developed; and Advancell Nanosystems, which uses nanomedicine to treat and prevent diseases.