If we get strong volume off this last candle (hammer). Could easily hit $7-8. Keep on watch.
CYTO is looking mighty good! ;D
Some info from last earnings report (all from
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051102/phw049.html?.v=20)
Company announces receipt of the 2005 Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award for its contributions to the development of novel therapies incorporating PSMA for combating prostate cancer
Company remains on track for filing an investigational new drug application of its lead therapeutic product candidate for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer in the first quarter of 2006
PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cytogen Corporation (Nasdaq: CYTO - News) today reported its consolidated financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
-- Total revenues for the third quarter of 2005 were $3.6 million
compared to $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2004. For the nine
months ended September 30, 2005, total revenues were $11.7 million
compared to $10.8 million in the same period of 2004.
-- Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 improved to
39% compared to 35% for the same period in 2004.
-- Cytogen reported a net loss of $7.8 million, or $0.44 per basic and
diluted share in the third quarter of 2005, compared to $5.6 million,
or $0.36 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2004.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, total net loss was
$22.2 million, or $1.36 per basic and diluted share, compared to
$14.3 million, or $0.99 per basic and diluted share, in the same
period of 2004. The increase in net loss results primarily from the
implementation of new marketing initiatives and expansion of the
Company's sales force, which was substantially completed in January
2005.
"We believe that we are pursuing the right commercial strategies to increase product sales within their current indications and the right clinical development strategies to realize their full potential," said Michael D. Becker, Cytogen's president and chief executive officer. "Our clinical development initiatives with QUADRAMET in combination with various potentially synergistic agents, PROSTASCINT for monitoring treatment response and image- guided applications, and our pipeline of product candidates targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are all of great interest to key opinion leaders who see value in these innovative molecules. We look forward to reporting progress with these initiatives in the months ahead."
PRODUCT REVENUE
QUADRAMET
QUADRAMET is Cytogen's flagship product for the relief of pain due to metastatic bone disease arising from prostate, breast, multiple myeloma and other types of cancer. Sales of QUADRAMET were $2.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, sales of QUADRAMET were $6.2 million compared to $5.4 million in the same period of 2004.
PROSTASCINT
Sales of PROSTASCINT kits, the first and only commercial monoclonal antibody-based agent that targets PSMA to image the extent and spread of prostate cancer, were $1.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 compared to $1.3 million in the same period of 2004. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, sales of PROSTASCINT were $5.3 million each, demonstrating a consistent demand for the product year-over- year.
Cytogen's strategy for increasing product sales is centered on key drivers of long-term growth for both QUADRAMET and PROSTASCINT. For QUADRAMET, these drivers include: (i) distinguishing the physical properties of QUADRAMET from first-generation agents within its class, (ii) empowering and marketing to key prescribing audiences, (iii) broadening palliative use within label beyond prostate cancer to include breast, lung, multiple myeloma, (iv) clinically evaluating the role of QUADRAMET in combination with other commonly used oncology agents, and (v) expanding clinical development to demonstrate the potential tumoricidal versus palliative attributes of QUADRAMET. For PROSTASCINT, these drivers include: (i) improving image quality through fusion technology, (ii) validating the antigen targeted by PROSTASCINT as an independent prognostic factor, (iii) the publication and presentation of outcomes data, (iv) clinical development of image-guided applications including brachytherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, surgery, and cryotherapy, and (v) expanding clinical development to demonstrate the potential for PROSTASCINT to both monitor response to cytotoxic therapies and image PSMA expression in other cancers.
COSTS AND EXPENSES
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
Total operating expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were $11.5 million compared to $8.9 million for the same period in 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, total operating expenses were $34.2 million compared to $25.2 million in the same period of 2004.
COST OF PRODUCT REVENUE
Cost of product revenue for the quarters ended September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2004 were $2.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, cost of product revenue was $7.1 million compared to $7.0 million in the same period of 2004, and primarily reflects QUADRAMET and PROSTASCINT manufacturing costs, royalties paid by Cytogen on the Company's product sales, and the amortization of the up-front payment to Berlex in 2003 to reacquire the marketing rights to QUADRAMET.
SG&A EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were $6.7 million compared to $5.3 million for the same period in 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, total selling, general and administrative expenses were $20.5 million compared to $14.1 million in the same period of 2004. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily driven by expanded investment for the commercial support of both QUADRAMET and PROSTASCINT, including the implementation of new marketing initiatives and expansion of the Company's sales force, which was substantially completed in January 2005.
R&D EXPENSES
Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were $1.7 million compared to $608,000 for the same period in 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, total research and development expenses were $3.8 million compared to $2.0 million in the same period of 2004. The increase in research and development expenses is primarily driven by new clinical development initiatives for both QUADRAMET and PROSTASCINT and a $500,000 charge in the second quarter of 2005 for a non-cash milestone payment related to the progress of PSMA development programs. In addition, research and development expenses include preclinical development costs associated with the Company's lead therapeutic product candidate incorporating the same 7E11.C5.3 monoclonal antibody utilized in PROSTASCINT linked to a therapeutic payload to deliver lethal doses of radiation to PSMA-expressing cells.
This stock has been beaten down constantly for the last year or so and finally looks to be turning around a little bit. Stock looks to have bottomed with positive macd indications. RSI has been saying this thing has been oversold up till this week. Has a ways to go to get to strong resistance at 6 (it's at 3 now) and if it breaks that it'll quickly fill the gap to 12!... I'll take 400% how about you? I think $6 by Dec. is very possible. The only analyst on this stock upgraded recently to a target of $17 a share so I'm not alone. Plus earnings estimates have been slowly getting better and better. Here are two charts for y'all to chew on.
Targets for CYTO:
Short term: $3.78 to $6.00
Long term: $11.50 to $12.00
I'll put a stop loss in at $2.79 just to cover my bases and go from there.
hardly any volume on the past few up weeks and days...i doubt this will be sustained...good luck to you though...
Alright this is a different stock/company but I think the chart will speak "volumes." Haha sorry just felt like I had to slip a pun in but here's the chart. Basically identical formations ... and AVID had a 40% breakout so I'll take my chances. And I'll put up SWIR too... not exactly the same pattern but pretty close into a 60% breakout so again... I'll take my chances with CYTO. Check it out.
Still looking good today. A little bit up with mediocre volume... just kinda chugging along if you want to call it that. I don't think a chart is really needed tonight 'cause not much new but I'll put one up tomorrow since I have a feeling I'm going to be online all night and have nothing better to do.
Just updating with my info and some sell targets:
In @ $3.22
Short-term: 3.75 - 4.50 Sell 1/3 of shares as high as possible within range
Mid-term: 5.80 - 6.00 Sell 1/3 of shares within range
Long-term: 11.50-12.50 Sell rest of shares in this range
Here's an update. This thing is sliding out of another descending wedge with a hammer on top of it today ... not much volume but not sure if it matters. Also some buying activity. Check out the charts. Sorry about the fuzziness of the chart with the wedge. I'll try to get a stockcharts chart up tomorrow sometime.
It feels good to be right (ie very lucky)... up 25% in two days with some news coming today. I'll get the new chart up tonight but I'm just happy to be first in the contest with CYTO... :o
Cytogen's QUADRAMET(R) Demonstrates Broad Anticancer Activity in Preclinical Study Reported at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting
Monday December 12, 10:30 am ET
Phase I Trials Underway in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cytogen Corporation (Nasdaq: CYTO - News) announced today the presentation of preclinical data on its flagship product QUADRAMET® (samarium Sm-153 lexidronam) in combination with bortezomib (Velcade®, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). The combination demonstrated broad anti-cancer activity in a murine myeloma model including greatly prolonged median survival, rapidly reduced clonogenicity of bone- marrow resident 5TGM1 cells, slowed elevation of serum myeloma-associated paraprotein levels, and longer term preservation of bone mineral density.
Data from the new study was presented by researchers from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 47th Annual Meeting and Exposition in a poster session on Myeloma: Therapy, Bone Disease, and Immunotherapy. The poster was titled "Synergistic Activity of the Proteasome Inhibitor PS-341 with Non-Myeloablative 153-Sm-EDTMP in a Syngeneic, Orthotopic Model of Multiple Myeloma."
In vitro studies demonstrated synergistic killing of myeloma cell lines with the combination of QUADRAMET and bortezomib. In vivo studies demonstrated that the combination therapy greatly prolonged median survival of mice and was well tolerated. The preclinical study was conducted in a mouse model in which murine myeloma 5TGM1 cells are injected intravenously into syngeneic mice. This murine myeloma model exhibits changes in the skeleton that are reported to be indistinguishable from those seen in human patients and is used for studies of pathogenetic mechanisms in myeloma and for preclinical evaluation of novel anti-tumor strategies.
Poster Presentation Highlights:
-- In vitro clonogenic assays performed using a panel of myeloma cell
lines demonstrated synergistic killing following co-treatment with
QUADRAMET and bortezomib.
-- Using the 5TGM1 myeloma model, the median survivals of mice treated
with saline, two doses of bortezomib (0.5 mg/kg), or a single non-
myeloablative dose of QUADRAMET (22.5 MBq) were 21, 22 and 28 days,
respectively. In contrast, mice treated with combination therapy
comprising two doses of bortezomib (0.5 mg/kg) one day prior to and one
day following QUADRAMET (22.5 MBq) showed a greatly prolonged median
survival of 49 days.
-- Correlative studies indicated that combination treatment with
bortezomib and QUADRAMET rapidly reduced the clonogenicity of bone-
marrow resident 5TGM1 cells, slowed the elevation of serum myeloma-
associated paraprotein levels, and was associated with longer term
preservation of bone mineral density as compared to single-agent
therapy.
-- The authors concluded that bortezomib is a potent in vivo
radiosensitizer that greatly enhances the therapeutic potency of
QUADRAMET in the syngeneic, orthotopic 5TGM1 myeloma model without
increasing myelotoxicity.
Cytogen believes that these positive findings support clinical evaluation of QUADRAMET in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. Cytogen has already initiated Phase I clinical trials to evaluate treatment involving a combination of QUADRAMET plus bortezomib in patients with relapsed or treatment-refractory multiple myeloma. QUADRAMET is also currently being evaluated in multiple myeloma patients in a Phase I combination trial with zoledronic acid (Zometa®, Novartis AG).
"The study results presented at this year's annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology shows that treatment regimens incorporating QUADRAMET have significant activity in relevant pre-clinical models of multiple myeloma and underscores the clinical rationale for and the versatility of QUADRAMET with potential applications in treating a wide range of cancers," said William Goeckeler, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Operations at Cytogen. "The Mayo Clinic's recent findings provide additional solid scientific support for expanding the clinical development of QUADRAMET beyond our current programs in solid tumors."
Alright here's the chart. 6 times average volume on a 14% jump today. Huge white candle to break through and close on top of a fairly key resistance level today. Solid base established that will allow it to consolidate a little bit before it works on the next levels of resistance around 4.50. Still long and still holding on the postive news today (posted above). Here's the chart I promised y'all.
Another up day! Up 7.5% today. I'm a little worried about the inverted hammer but high volume and a good bit of support will keep it from dropping too far (if it does drop tomorrow). In regards to my chart today... I drew resistance lines that CYTO has broken through over the past two days that now offer some support. It has a solid base at 3.50-3.55. The red bar I drew w/ the arrow pointing to it represents where I think the candlestick will be tomorrow. If I had to guess, I'd say it will hammer off of the 3.50 level, consolidate for a few days by stayin on top of that level and then continue up to the next level or resistance around 4.50. The only thing is... this relies on the fact that there was a true inverted hammer formed today. I don't know if the actual candle is short enough to be an inverted hammer so I'll have to see. My "uncertainty" is represented with the black circle. The price movement today was positive in that it closed on top of several support levels on 5 times avg. daily volume. The price movement was negative in that it formed the inverted hammer.
Green represents POSITIVE:
MACD positive
Volume still high
Just broke through two levels of resistance today
Red is NEGATIVE:
RSI is moving to overbought
Black is UNCERTAIN:
Two indicators are contradicting each other
I'm going to hold onto my shares as I think that the positives outweigh the negatives...
My targets are 4.55, 5.50, and 13.20. Moving my stop up to 3.25.... I wish I had put in a trailing stop ;D.
Anyways... here's the updated chart for today.
Wow, you have been all by your lonesome in here ! ???
It took off to put you in first place. ;D Congrats !
The work you have done looks great.....Applaud
Stock chart blasted off..I'm surprised that there has not been more volume flowing in.
Three white soldiers.It may have a little pull back now, some will want to take profits.
I think your overall objectives look good. If your in for the real deal watch your chart,protect your profits.
The company needs to turn a profit,earnings have been down quarter after quarter.
Maybe the recent news is a new start.
Support @ $3.67...3.42...3.18
Resistance @ $3.85...4.07...4.26...4.78...5.20
Recent CandleStick Analysis
Bullish
Dec-09-2005 Bullish Engulfing
Technicals
MACD is Bullish
Stochastic is Bearish
Close Above the 50-day EMA
Percentage Gainer
Last Price Quote is:
22.77%above 13-day EMA
15.88%above 50-day EMA
RS Rating: 10
Fundamentals
Key Data:
Market Cap (M): $58.10
P/E Ratio: NA
PEG Ratio: N/A
Next Earnings: 02/22/2006
Last Analyst Rating: Buy
BRIEF: For the nine months ended 30 September 2005, Cytogen Corporation's revenues increased 8% to $11.7M. Net loss increased 50% to $21.5M. Revenues reflect an increase in Quadramet sales and higher license & contract revenues. Higher loss reflects lower gross margins, increased selling, general & administrative expenses, higher research & development expenses and higher equity in loss of joint venture. http://www.cytogen.com
Quarterly Earnings Surprises Estimate Actual Surprise(%)
Quarter Ending 09/2005 -0.44 -0.44 0.00%
Quarter Ending 06/2005 -0.46 -0.50 -8.70%
Quarter Ending 03/2005 -0.45 -0.43 4.44%
Quarter Ending 12/2004 -0.41 -0.41 0.00%
Quarter Ending 09/2004 -0.41 -0.36 12.20%
Wow... I've gone from being really high on this stock to not know what to think ???. CYTO just announced great news and then today they decide to dilute by selling 3.5 million shares to institutions. This thing will probably gap down tomorrow so I can't really put a sell order in for the contest.
The article: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051213/phtu044a.html?.v=2
Cytogen to Raise $13.3 Million Through Sale of Common Stock and Warrants
Tuesday December 13, 4:28 pm ET
PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cytogen Corporation (Nasdaq: CYTO - News), a product-driven biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it has entered into definitive purchase agreements with certain institutional investors for the sale of 3,729,556 shares of its common stock and 932,389 warrants to purchase shares of its common stock at a unit price of $3.56 per unit through a registered direct offering. The warrants have a five-year term and an exercise price of $4.25 per share. The transaction is expected to provide gross proceeds of approximately $13.3 million to Cytogen before deducting costs associated with the offering, and will be used primarily for general corporate purposes, including the selling, marketing and clinical development of Cytogen's products and product candidates. The parties expect to close the transaction as soon as possible.
The shares of common stock and the shares of common stock underlying the warrants offered by Cytogen in this transaction will be registered upon issuance under the Company's existing shelf registration statement on Form S- 3, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2004. Rodman & Renshaw acted as placement agent in this transaction.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
I'm not really sure what to do... I'll just have to sit and watch tomorrow. This could be really brutal :-\ >:(... could I pull the first to worst that happened last time for actrader w/ SMTX?
Had the potential to run up to around $5... now who knows what will happen.
dwest,
I wouldn't worry about it too much, jsut keep an eye on it tomorrow - you are right, CYTO is probably due a pullback after 3 very solid days, and this news may case it tomorrow, but so far there has been no AH sell off, with just 2 trades going through after hours today. It may happen tomorrow am, so yes you might want to protect some profits. As far as the chart goes, I have to say I think you've got it pretty much under control.
As I see it, there is some solid resistance around 4.20-4.25, but seeing that CYTO made it through the last few resistance levels so easily, I would not be surprised to see it break upwards towards the long term descending resistance, around 4.60. If it breaks through here, then it could well be on its way to testing that gap at 7.50. A long way to go before that happens, but has made a good start so far. I'd like to see a bit of consolidation (actually I'd like to see a bit of a pullback so I can get in!) And I'm sure there are quite a few others like me, so I would expect to see buying pressure kick in tomorrow if it does start heading down. We'll see.
Here's a chart:
Good bounce today off of the volume by price bar. Hopefully it will get back to be a hammer because that will make the movement more positive than negative today. Hoping it gets at least back to near the resistance levels it broke through yesterday. Still holding. Watching today and I'll post tonight my thoughts. Hopefully I'll end up happy with the situation...
IMHO, I don't think it is as bad as it seems.
Look at the chart I have here ,Where it made it's break above this resistance,the green line and that is @ 3.25
I think this is now support, and it rest there, well the close just above @ 3.30.
Support Also @ $3.13...2.78
Resistance @ $3.67...3.85...4.07
Technicals
MACD - Bullish ........A Bullish MACD ...IMPORTANT TO ME.
Stochastic is Bearish
Percentage Loser
Last Price Quote is:
3.26%above 13-day EMA
0.01%above 50-day EMA
RS Rating: 4
Fundamentals
Key Data:
Market Cap (M): $58.10
P/E Ratio: NA
PEG Ratio: N/A
Next Earnings: 02/22/2006
Last Analyst Rating: Buy
Bought 5000 @ 3.12. Recent news,
Positive Findings from Clinical Studies of QUADRAMET(R) in Prostate Cancer Patients with Metastatic Bone Disease Presented at ASCO Prostate Cancer Symposium
PR Newswire (Mon 6:00am)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060227/nym076.html?.v=31
Cytogen Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Financial Results
PR Newswire (Thu, Feb 23)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060223/phth006.html?.v=44
Sold 1/2 @ 3.42
Looking great!! CYTO made a breakaway Gap ;)
CYTO is looking technically sound again. I'll post my chart and analysis on Sunday night when I have access to the usual resources. Still holding the shares I purchased around 3 ... and now thinking of at least doubling down. Considering purchasing at least 500 shares in the middle of the week next week with some positive confirmation from the bottom that it looks like just formed.
Setravis (or whoever wants to do me a favor) ... if you read this and you've got a bit of extra time on your hands could you post a 6 month chart with no log scale and with volume by price bars. MACD and RSI below and circle the RSI and MACD positive divergence and then MACD cross... and then all I'll have to do is post my analysis ;D
Funny how things can change in an hour of trading. Looks to have formed a bearish engulfing scenario and the MACD divergence never pulled through so would need strong bullish confirmation on Monday for me to consider buying. I'll still post chart and analysis and my trading strategy tomorrow night :)
Quote from: dwest718 on July 22, 2006, 07:45:56 PM Looks to have formed a bearish engulfing scenario and the MACD divergence never pulled through so would need strong bullish confirmation on Monday for me to consider buying. I'll still post chart and analysis and my trading strategy tomorrow night :)
dwest,
Good obsevations. Applause.
A few points about stocks in bear trends:
1. Bullish divergences are meaningless without price confirmation (as you basically are saying).
2. Crashes occur from
oversold levels. 13-day RSI got to oversold (25) a month ago, right after the Symmetircal Triangle broke to the downside. CYTO continued to get smashed.
3. "Cheap stocks can get a lot cheaper."
CYTO is finally looking very good again ;D
Didn't get a chance to post on Friday but up over 25% since Thursday morning and up AH. Sat on top of 50dma for about 2 weeks and then busted through the 200dma twice on Friday. 2-3 times average volume on Thurs. followed by 5-6 times average volume on Friday. Looks to have busted through several midterm resistance levels as well... take a look. I'd/I'll put a chart up if I had/have the time.
Here is the chart dwest718.... ;D
Making some noise....
Support @ $2.35...2.06...1.94
Resistance @ $3.15...3.38...3.51
Float (mil) 22.40
52wk Range: 1.93 - 3.95
Volume: 883,812
Avg Vol (3m): 78,210.6
Technicals
MACD is Bullish
Stochastic is Bullish
Percentage Gainer
Last Price Quote is:
24.45%above 13-day MA
29.10%above 50-day MA
RS Rating: 96
Fundamentals
Key Data:
Market Cap (M): $47.69
P/E Ratio: NA
PEG Ratio: N/A
Next Earnings: 11/13/2006
Last Analyst Rating: Mkt Outperform
Business Overview
BRIEF: For the six months ended 30 June 2006, Cytogen Corporation's revenues rose 6% to $8.6M. Net loss fell 97% to $460K. Revenues reflect higher QUADRAMET sales and increased PROSTASCINT income reflecting higher demand, the implementation of price increases and identification of new distribution channels. Lower loss reflects lower SG&A expenses, higher interest income and the presence of $12.9M gain on sale of equity interest in the joint venture. http://www.cytogen.com
More action again today. Sitting at day high of 3.20 right now (11:06am EST) on 250k shares (3 times average volume in first hour and a half of trading). Has broken through first small resistance in front of it and now has a bit of room to maneuver. We'll see where it goes but looking good so far.
Continued solid price action and volume (360k over 3 hrs trading) during the beginning of the afternoon. Ran to 3.30 early and now hovering around 3.25 ... I'll post a chart during the break between my 1 and 3 oclock class.
Thanks for the help last night setra :D
Nice recovery for CYTO to bounce over top of the 200dma again today. If it can stay up, it should have some room to run in coming days.
"CYTO" Threads have been Merged.
Please use the search before starting new threads on a Stock Pick.
Chances are a thread already exist.
So why not post whatever you have to comment about on that pick to that thread.
"Simplicity" My fellow traders. ;D
All history on a stock pick in 1 thread is awesome. ;)
Thank You....and good luck with all your trades....make some $$$ 8)
I will leave today's closing chart while I'm in this thread
Press Release Source: Cytogen Corporation
Outcomes Data Continue to Demonstrate Value of Cytogen's PROSTASCINT(R) to Predict Prognosis in Prostate Cancer
Tuesday May 22, 7:00 am ET
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cytogen Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTO - News) today reported outcomes data from a large cohort study demonstrating the value of PROSTASCINT® (capromab pendetide) in predicting prognosis in prostate cancer.(i) The study evaluated the outcomes of patients whose PROSTASCINT images showed uptake in the central abdomen, a finding suggestive of metastatic disease, as compared to those without such findings. In the study, prostate cancer-specific death rates were 10 times higher in patients with central abdominal uptake (CAU) than in patients without CAU (p=0.005).(i) These results further reinforce that PROSTASCINT offers a level of accuracy and detail to prostate cancer imaging that can aid clinicians in defining patients' prognoses and treatment regimens.
Source: Cytogen Corporation
· PROSTASCINT is the first and only commercial monoclonal antibody-based agent targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) to image the extent and spread of prostate cancer. (Photo: Business Wire). View Multimedia Gallery
PROSTASCINT is the first and only commercial monoclonal antibody-based agent that targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) to image the extent and spread of prostate cancer. The study, "Capromab pendetide (ProstaScint) imaging with central abdominal uptake: poor outcomes for prostate cancer patients," by Haseman, et al., was presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association taking place May 19-24, 2007 in Anaheim, California.
"As the only functional imaging agent available for prostate cancer, PROSTASCINT brings greater clarity to prostate cancer imaging, enabling more precise assessment of disease," commented Michael J. Manyak, M.D., vice president of medical affairs with Cytogen. "The poor outcomes among men whose PROSTASCINT scan detected central abdominal activity support what has long been suspected -- that the detection of central abdominal activity on PROSTASCINT scans is indicative of metastatic activity. Following the presentation of eight-year outcomes data in February 2007, this outcomes study further demonstrates PROSTASCINT's utility for prognosis. The data presented here today reinforce the value of information obtained from PROSTASCINT scans to assist in selection of appropriate therapy."
The investigators reviewed records of 341 men with prostate cancer who underwent PROSTASCINT imaging between 1994 and 1999 and were followed up for a median of 4.1 years.(i) Patients were divided into two groups based on whether CAU was present or absent.(i) CAU was detected in 69 (20%) patients. Of the 262 men who received pelvic radiotherapy after the PROSCASCINT scan, 57 (83%) had evidence of CAU and 205 (75%) did not (p=0.2). Five of the 69 patients (7.2%) in the CAU group died of prostate cancer, compared to two of the 272 (0.7%) CAU-negative patients (p=0.005).(i) The ten-fold increase in prostate cancer-specific death rates was independent of the use or timing of intervention with hormone therapy. These outcomes data confirm that high signal intensity in the abdomen is a negative prognostic sign.
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. In 2007, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 219,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States and that about 27,000 men will die from the disease.(ii) It is estimated that more than 2 million American men are currently living with prostate cancer.(iii) Tests to determine the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland, in the blood along with a digital rectal exam are used to help initially detect prostate cancer and also to monitor patients with a history of prostate cancer to see if the cancer has come back or recurred. PSA levels cannot directly identify the extent or location of disease.
About PROSTASCINT
Cytogen's PROSTASCINT molecular imaging agent is the first and only commercial product targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen or PSMA. PROSTASCINT consists of Cytogen's proprietary PSMA-targeting monoclonal antibody, 7E11-C5, linked to the imaging radioisotope Indium-111. By targeting PSMA, the PROSTASCINT molecular imaging procedure can detect the extent and spread of prostate cancer using a standard gamma camera.
Emerging data from several sources using the superimposition, or fusion, of the PROSTASCINT functional study upon an anatomic image such as Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), have generated renewed interest in the clinical value of PROSTASCINT imaging. In January 2007, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, or NCCN, updated its clinical practice guidelines and expanded PROSTASCINT's role to include recurrent disease. The expanded NCCN guidelines reflect the growing awareness of the potential for PROSTASCINT fusion imaging to assess disease and plan individualized treatment regimens.
May 23, 2007 - 7:02 AM EDT
Cytogen Reports Publication Validating the Utility of its Proprietary ProChart(TM) Database
Cytogen Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTO) today reported the publication of a review validating the utility of its ProChart™ database to help define the function of the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), an important tumor suppressor gene with known involvement in breast, prostate, lung, pancreatic, esophageal, and gastric cancers. The peer-reviewed article was published in the online edition (25 April 2007) of the Journal of Cellular Physiology as a Mini Review entitled "WWOX in biological control and tumorigenesis," by Rami I. Aqeilan and Carlo M. Croce, epub 25 April 2007. The publication focuses on the most recent progress in understanding the function of WWOX as a tumor suppressor.
WW and other modular domain families are known to be important in mediating many important protein-protein interactions. Because WWOX contains two WW domains, it was an ideal protein to analyze with ProChart, Cytogen's proprietary, comprehensive, experimentally validated database of protein-protein signaling interactions. Using ProChart, the authors were able to determine a number of novel WWOX-interacting proteins, including the transcription factors p73 and Ap-2 gamma, the latter of which is known to play a role in activating the expression of the epidermal growth factor, HER2 (erbB-2). The study also reviews the importance of the relationships between WWOX and critical proto-oncogenes such as ErbB4 and c-Jun.
Using ProChart to accelerate their studies of WWOX, in recent years researchers from Ohio State University have validated a number of key WWOX interactions and published several peer-reviewed journal articles. Prior to the application of ProChart, little was known about the specific biologic functions of WWOX protein expression or the signaling pathways that lead to its tumor suppressive effects. In the current publication, the authors specifically refer to the usefulness of the ProChart data to help them define the WWOX pathway and its role in tumor suppression.
While Cytogen's internal research and development initiatives focus on clinical-stage opportunities, the Company complements its internal programs with an active business development strategy, which includes capitalizing on the promising proprietary technology platforms, such as ProChart, previously developed through its AxCell BioSciences research-stage subsidiary.
In view of recent biological validation, as well as the progress of internal data mining efforts and external research collaborations, Cytogen is exploring strategic transactions for AxCell BioSciences and will be presenting today at the 9th Annual C21 BioVentures Conference (C21) taking place in Monterey, California.
About ProChart™
ProChart is a proprietary, comprehensive, experimentally validated database of protein-protein signaling interactions mediated by WW, SH3, PDZ, and other modular domain families. Cytogen believes the application of ProChart may accelerate research and drug development by: (i) discovering novel signal transduction pathways and their relevant protein-protein interactions; (ii) rapidly identifying qualified drug targets; (iii) identifying potential unwanted side effects; (iv) identifying structure and activity relationship (SAR) information regarding domain and ligand interactions that can facilitate small molecule drug design; and (v) providing high throughput screening reagents (eg, cloned domains and ligands).
About Cytogen
Cytogen is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing the treatment and care of patients by building, developing, and commercializing a portfolio of oncology products. The Company's specialized sales force currently markets three therapeutic products and one diagnostic product to the U.S. oncology market. CAPHOSOL® is an advanced electrolyte solution for the treatment of oral mucositis and dry mouth that is approved in the U.S. as a prescription medical device. QUADRAMET® (samarium Sm-153 lexidronam injection) is approved for the treatment of pain in patients whose cancer has spread to the bone. PROSTASCINT® (capromab pendetide) is a PSMA-targeting monoclonal antibody-based agent to image the extent and spread of prostate cancer and SOLTAMOX™ (tamoxifen citrate) is the first liquid hormonal therapy approved in the U.S. for the treatment of breast cancer in adjuvant and metastatic settings. The Company is also developing CYT-500, a third-generation radiolabeled antibody to treat prostate cancer. Cytogen's product-focused strategy centers on attaining sustainable growth through clinical, commercial, and strategic initiatives.