Progen's puzzle piece

Progen Industries Ltd. has maintained that its PI-88 cancer compound has a dual mechanism: inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. Teasing out the latter mechanism in humans can be challenging, as many cancers take years to metastasize and recur. But Progen thinks its recently started Phase II trial in hepatocellular cancer will get to an answer in a reasonable time frame.

PI-88 is a sulfated mannopentaose phosphate with multiple targets. The compound inhibits VEGF, FGF and heparanase activity. It's the anti-heparanase activity that produces the anti-metastatic effect, according to Business Development Manager Sarah Meibusch. "Heparanase breaks down the extracellular matrix and allows tumors to spread," she said. ...