| Interim Analysis Supports Continuation Of Cell Genesys' VITAL-1 Phase ...
Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE) announced that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) for VITAL-1, the first of two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer, has completed a pre-planned interim analysis and has recommended that the study continue. This event-driven interim analysis was designed to determine whether the study should continue to completion and took place in the time frame originally estimated. As is customary to preserve study blinding, the IDMC provided no information to the company other than the recommendation to continue the trial.
"The IDMC's recommendation to continue with the VITAL-1 trial represents an important step forward in the Phase 3 development of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer and in our effort to make this product available as a new treatment option for men with prostate cancer," stated Robert Dow, MBChB, chief medical officer of Cell Genesys.
Sean Van Zijl, urologist
Dr. Sean Van Zijl, a urologist with Chesapeake Urology Associates, is a passionate runner who wanted to raise awareness about prostate-cancer and support prostate-cancer research. So, combining his avocation and vocation, he came up with "Great Strides Against Prostate Cancer," a 5-kilometer run and 1-mile walk/run that will be held 8 a.m. Sept. 30 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson.
In addition to the run, free prostate-cancer screenings will be offered that morning at the Cancer Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center. For more information about the screenings, call 410-337-1479. To register for the run, go to charmcityrun.com.
Dr. Van Zijl, 34, lives in Elkton with his wife, Susanne, and two sons.
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STILL FIGHTING: Prostate cancer survivor helps others with the disease
Larry Puccio beat prostate cancer 12 years ago, but he's still fighting the disease. Only now, he's doing it to help newly diagnosed men and survivors who need information and hope. The retired engineer joined a prostate cancer support group soon after his surgery in 1996 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. In 2005, he and his wife, Grace, moved from their Hillsborough home to the Holiday City South seniors development in Berkeley. Puccio decided to look for a new support group. He had an obligation to do so, he says in his quiet but measured way.
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