As reported in this month's issue, a research group exposed cultures of immature neurons known as granule cells and the more developed and more abundant astrocytes to sublethal doses of two well-characterized alkylating genotoxicants: methylazoxymethanol (MAM), a highly toxic compound synthesized from the poison found in plants called cycads, and nitrogen mustard (HN2), a chemotherapeutic agent.

Revimmune is based on pulsed, ultra-high dosing of a well-known chemotherapeutic agent under a risk management program.

The Phase II clinical trial, which is ongoing at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is testing use of the Delcath System for the organ-specific delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent, melphalan, in patients with specific tumors in the liver, including primary liver cancer, metastatic neuroendocrine tumors and adenocarcinomas in the liver.