Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc has completed enrolment in the REVEAL-1 (Response Evaluation of VorEloxin in AmL) trial, a phase-2 dose regimen optimization trial of single agent voreloxin in newly diagnosed elderly acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients who are unlikely to benefit from standard induction chemotherapy. A total of 113 patients were enrolled and dosed according to one of three dosing schedules.

"The REVEAL-1 trial's rapid accrual from initiation in May 2008 underscores a strong interest from investigators in voreloxin as a potential new treatment for AML," said Daniel Swisher, chief executive officer of Sunesis. "Previously reported interim data from this and other studies have demonstrated that voreloxin can induce durable complete remissions in a variety of AML patient populations, including highly underserved elderly patients. Results from REVEAL-1 and our ongoing phase-1b/2 trial of voreloxin in combination with cytarabine in relapsed/refractory AML will contribute greatly to our clinical development strategy as we look to move next year into a pivotal trial of voreloxin."

The primary objective of the REVEAL-1 trial is to evaluate voreloxin's anti-leukemic activity as a single agent, measured as either complete remission (CR) or complete remission without full platelet recovery (CRp). The trial will also measure the duration of remission and survival. In order to qualify for the trial, patients had to be at least age 60 with previously untreated AML and satisfy at least one of the following poor prognosis factors: poor performance status (PS 2); intermediate or unfavourable cytogenetics; prior antecedent haematologic disorder; or an age greater than or equal to 70 years. Patients enrolled in the trial were treated with voreloxin according to one of three dosing schedules: 72 mg/m2 of voreloxin dosed weekly for three weeks, 72 mg/m2 of voreloxin dosed weekly for two weeks, or 72 or 90 mg/m2 of voreloxin dosed on days one and four.

Voreloxin is a first-in-class anticancer quinolone derivative, or AQD, a class of compounds that has not been used previously for the treatment of cancer.

Sunesis is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new oncology therapeutics for the treatment of solid and haematologic cancers.