Shares of Genta surged after the company reported that a Phase III trial of Genasense improved remission rates of leukemia patients. Researchers said that 17 percent of the patients receiving Genasense and chemotherapy achieved complete or partial remission, compared to 7 percent who had similar responses to chemotherapy alone. The trial, which included 241 patients, hit its primary endpoint.
"We look forward to improving on these results when we extend the use of Genasense into studies of patients with less advanced disease," said Dr. Loretta M. Itri, Genta's chief medical officer.
- read this AP report for more information