ZIOPHARM Announces Initiation of Phase 2 Study of Palifosfamide in Recurrent and Incurable Germ Cell Tumors

ZIOPHARM Oncology ZIOP today announced the start of a multicenter, single arm Phase 2 investigator-sponsored study of palifosfamide (ZIO-201) in patients with recurrent metastatic germ cell (testicular and ovarian) tumors who have relapsed on initial platinum-based therapy and high dose chemotherapy, or patients who are not eligible for high dose chemotherapy. The study is being conducted at the Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center at the Indiana University, led by Lawrence Einhorn, M.D., Distinguished Professor of the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology at the School of Medicine. ZIOPHARM is currently conducting Phase 3 trials of palifosfamide in first-line metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (PICASSO 3) and first-line metastatic small cell lung cancer (MATISSE). Dr. Einhorn is the lead principal investigator for the MATISSE trial. The Company expects to announce topline results from PICASSO 3 the last week of this month. "While treatments for germ cell cancers are often effective, and five-year survival is high, there remains a population for whom relapse or a lack of tolerability lead to poor prognosis," said Dr. Einhorn. "Palifosfamide is in the same See full press release