CANCERVAX AND SERONO STOPS CANVAXIN RESEARCH

CancerVax and Serono have abandoned research on Canvaxin, a treatment for malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. An independent data and safety monitoring board recommended halting testing on the drug.

CancerVax will discontinue all work on Canvaxin, which suffered its second clinical research defeat in six months. In April, the companies reported no significant difference between Canvaxin and a placebo for people with the most advanced form of melanoma. At the time, they were still assessing whether Canvaxin would help Stage III cancer patients.