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Advancell starts phase II b clinical trials on its drug to treat Palmoplantar Erythrodysesthesia

By 19 de April de 2011November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 19.04.2011

Advancell starts phase II b clinical trials on its drug to treat Palmoplantar Erythrodysesthesia

Biotechnology firm Advancell, located in the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), has started phase II b clinical trials on their product denominated ATH008, which would be used to treat Palmoplantar Erythrodysesthesia Syndrome (PES). This condition, also known as hand-foot syndrome, is an important side effect experienced by oncology patients receiving a variety of chemotherapies (like capecitabine and other fluoropyrimidines) and which, currently, has no treatment.


Clinical trials on this drug are being carried out on 100 oncology patients at 21 European hospitals, 12 of which are in Spain. If these trials are successful, this drug will be the first treatment available for hand-foot syndrome.

Palmoplantar Erythrodysesthesia Syndrome is a relatively common cutaneous reaction to chemotherapy, characterized by painful erythema on the palms and soles (tingling and numbing). As the syndrome progresses, it interferes with basic body functions like walking or picking up objects. Some 60% of people with breast or colorectal cancer receiving certain types of chemotherapy suffer from this condition and 20% have had to stop chemotherapy treatment as a result.

Advancell has already seen very promising efficacy results for this drug. Marta Rayo, Advancell project manager and promoter of this project, said “We expect this treatment to be available to patients in four or five years.”

An estimated 200,000 people in the United States and Europe could benefit from this drug, 18,000 in Spain. However if we take into account the drug’s preventative use, the number of patients it could treat nearly triples. “This new drug aims to allow patients to complete their chemotherapy according to plan, in addition to substantially improving their quality of life during treatment,” explained Davide Sirtoli, executive president of Advancell.