Researchers Receive Grants from NCCN Oncology Research Program Funded through AVEO/Astellas Collaboration

The NCCN Oncology Research Program (ORP) announces funding of five new investigator-initiated studies of tivozanib as a result of funding through the AVEO/Astellas collaboration.

FORT WASHINGTON, PA – The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) Oncology Research Program (ORP) announces funding of five new investigator-initiated studies of tivozanib, an investigational agent currently being evaluated in advanced renal cell carcinoma and other tumors. These grants were made possible through a research grant from AVEO Oncology and Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo: 4503) to develop oncology research protocols and trials examining tivozanib as a single agent and in combination with other drugs in the treatment of solid tumors.

"The NCCN ORP is pleased to announce the funding of these five new studies, as a result of the Tivozanib Request for Proposals," said Diane Paul, MS, RN, Vice President, NCCN ORP. "Funding, like that made possible through the AVEO/Astellas collaboration, has afforded NCCN Member Institutions more than $36 million in grants to further the mission of NCCN—to improve the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancers. We are happy to have the opportunity to work with AVEO and Astellas in this venture."

According to AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc.: Tivozanib is a potent, selective, long half-life inhibitor of all three vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors. The VEGF pathway plays a key role in angiogenesis, a process known to be critical in the growth and survival of solid tumors. Positive top-line results from a Phase 3 clinical study in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have been reported, and the drug is also being evaluated in other tumors.

The following proposals have been awarded funding:

Elizabeth Gerstner, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Phase II Trial of Tivozanib in Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma

Renuka Iyer, MD, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Multicenter Phase 2 Study of Tivozanib in Patients with Advanced Inoperable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Susana Campos, MD, MPH, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Platinum Sensitive Ovarian Cancer: The Use of Tivozanib as Maintenance Therapy Post Chemotherapy in Patients with Platinum Sensitive Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma

M. Dror Michaelson, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Phase 2 Combination Trial of Tivozanib and Enzalutamide in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer

Julian Schink, MD, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, The Efficacy and Safety of Tivozanib in Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

The awardees responded to a Request for Proposals issued by the NCCN ORP to the 21 NCCN Member Institutions. Submissions were peer reviewed by the NCCN Tivozanib Scientific Review Committee. The awardees were selected based on several key criteria, including scientific merit, existing data, and the types of studies necessary to further evaluate the activity of tivozanib.

The NCCN ORP is organized to obtain funding to support scientifically meritorious research projects at NCCN Member Institutions. Policies and standards for the program were set by the NCCN Investigator Steering Committee, a group comprised of senior research physicians appointed by each member institution. The NCCN ORP has received research grants from major pharmaceutical companies to support investigator-initiated trials. These trials explore new venues of clinical investigation that answer important scientific questions. Studies evaluate combinations and sequencing regimens of drugs, drug resistance, and mechanisms of action of specific agents, and explore extended uses for scientific agents.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®), a not-for-profit alliance of 23 of the world's leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives. For more information, visit NCCN.org.

The NCCN Member Institutions are:

City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Duke Cancer Institute
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center / Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Moffitt Cancer Center
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Stanford Cancer Institute
University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Colorado Cancer Center
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The Nebraska Medical Center
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center