MedImmune Inc announced the initiation of two Phase 2 clinical trials for Vitaxin, a development-stage monoclonal antibody. In one trial, the company is evaluating the anti-tumor activity and safety of Vitaxin in patients with metastatic melanoma (skin cancer). In the second trial, MedImmune is studying the affect Vitaxin has on disease activity and the progression of structural joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

"As an antibody that targets the alpha-v-beta-3 integrin, a protein implicated in the advancement of a number of our targeted diseases, we believe that Vitaxin may be instrumental in inhibiting the advancement of life-threatening cancers and some life-altering inflammatory diseases," said Dr. Edward Connor, MedImmune's senior vice president, clinical development. "Initiating these first Phase 2 trials is an important step in our comprehensive clinical development plan for Vitaxin, which also includes Phase 2 studies in prostate cancer and psoriasis."

Vitaxin is being developed for various indications in both cancer and inflammatory disease. It targets the alpha-v-beta-3 integrin, which is a protein expressed on the surface of newly forming blood vessels and certain tumor types, as well as on a number of cell types, including macrophages and osteoclasts. As such, alpha-v-beta-3 is implicated in a number of disease processes, including the growth and metastasis of tumors, as well as in the damage done to bone in RA.