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MTC DRUG CHILDREN'S TRIAL

Many thanks to ThyCa for this exciting piece of news.  The trials are currently only scheduled to open in the USA and Canada.  If, as may happen, they branch out elsewhere, we will let you know.

From: Jan Halzel, PHD, Moderator of ThyCa MTC Listserv, January 31st, 2007:

'I'm very excited to be able to share the news of a new study soon to be opening for children under 18 years of age with either MEN2a or MEN2b. The study is scheduled to begin in three to four months, although the specific date is not yet set.  The study, using ZD6474 (brand name Zactima, generic name vandetanib), will be for children with locally advanced or metastatic advanced disease.  All of the participants in this study will receive ZD6474.  As you probably know from the adult series, Zactima is an investigational drug that is taken once daily by mouth.  It does have potential side effects, which are typically controllable, but its long term safety has not been established.  Because of this, enrollment in this or any study, needs to be weighed carefully and undertaken only when the patient and doctors are comfortable that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

The study will be undertaken with Dr Wells and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  The study is supported by the NCI and all patients will be seen at the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD.

This upcoming clinical trial is an exciting development for it represents the first opportunity for young patients with MTC to receive an experimental compound, which based on preliminary results from the adult studies, appears to be a potentially helpful therapeutic agent.  I encourage all parents whose children with MEN2a or MEN2b have locally advanced or metastatic MTC to contact Dr Wells for more information.  Contacting Dr Wells will not commit you on any level but will give you an opportunity to learn more about the study.  Contacting him sooner rather than later will give you preliminary information and will give Dr Wells a better idea of how many families might be interested in participating.  There will be a limited number of patients included in the study.

The best way to reach Dr Wells directly is via email at wellss@wudosis.wustl.edu or via phone at +919 201 0310.  If emailing him, place something pertinent in the subject line (e.g. MEN2 Children) so that the message stands out."