AP5346 (ProLindac™), A DACH Platinum Polymer Conjugate in Phase II Trials Against Ovarian Cancer

David      P. Nowotnik

Abstract

ProLindac™ (AP5346) is a 25 kDa polymer delivery vehicle based on hydroxypropylmethacrylamide (HPMA) to which DACH (diaminocyclohexane) platinum is bound. DACH platinum is the active moiety in the approved chemotherapeutic, oxaliplatin. The AP5346 polymer prodrug is currently in phase II clinical development. The polymer targets the drug to tumors and a pH-sensitive linker releases platinum more rapidly in low pH environments, as found typically in many tumors. ProLindac has completed a Phase I study in solid tumor cancer patients and has recently completed a Phase I/II monotherapy study in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. With promising efficacy and safety data from these studies, clinical studies of ProLindac used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, including paclitaxel, are planned.

Keywords: HPMA polymer, DACH platinum, AP5346, ProLindac, recurrent ovarian cancer, tumor targeting, clinical trials, chemotherapeutic agents, anticancer, third generation polymer platinum prodrug