Foscan® Data Presented at ASCO

20 May 2002; Orlando, Florida:

Dr. Merrill Biel presented data regarding the use of Foscan® in advanced head and neck cancer at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting. The clinicians attending the conference, particularly those with an interest in photodynamic therapy (PDT), received this information very positively.

Dr. Biel presented trial data for 128 patients with advanced cancer of the head and neck who were suitable for treatment with other standard options. The data focused on lesions whose entire surface area was illuminated with laser light. A total of 50% of these lesions were totally destroyed in a population of heavily pre-treated patients who had failed all other treatment options. The proportion of completely cleared lesions increased to 68% for those lesions less than 10 mm in depth.

The trial also looked at the clinical benefit derived by patients following treatment with Foscan®. The results showed that 57% of patients with completely illuminated lesions experienced symptomatic improvement.

Another interesting observation was that the survival rate at 1 year was twice as high in patients with complete local tumour destruction compared with patients whose tumours were not completely cleared. No systemic side effects were encountered during the trial other that photosensitivity, which was transient and manageable. In addition, functional and anatomical integrity were preserved allowing patients to eat, speak and to improve their well-being.

biolitec pharma was very pleased at the degree of interest shown in Foscan® at the meeting. Foscan® has been approved in Europe for the palliative treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who have failed prior therapies and are unsuitable for radiotherapy, surgery or systemic chemotherapy.