Clover Biopharmaceuticals | Other Diseases

Impact on Populations

Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia is a serious, chemotherapy-associated complication characterized by a low count of blood platelets, which stop bleeding by clumping. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia among chemotherapy patients varies with the tumor type and chemotherapy used. It is particularly high among patients with colorectal (62%), cell lung (51%), and ovarian (46%) tumors.

Impact on Health

Thrombocytopenia can result in discontinuations/delays or reductions in chemotherapy doses, with potential implications for the success of patients' cancer treatment. It can also increase spontaneous bleeding and complicate surgical procedures. Platelet transfusions are used effectively but also introduce new risks for complications. Other recombinant proteins (TPO and rIL11) can be used but need to be discontinued after 14 days due to immunogenicity.

For information about our chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia therapy candidate, visit our Pipeline page.

References

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Kuter, D. (2015). Managing thrombocytopenia associated with cancer chemotherapy. Oncology, 29(4).

Nielson C., Bylsma L., Fryzek J. et al. (2021). Relative Dose Intensity of Chemotherapy and Survival in Patients with Advanced Stage Solid Tumor Cancer: A Systematic Review and META-ANALYSIS. The Oncologist, 26(9): e1609–e1618.

Ying Wu, Suresh Aravind, Gayatri Ranganathan, et al. (2009). Anemia and thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing chemotherapy for solid tumors: A descriptive study of a large outpatient oncology practice database, 2000– 2007[J]. Clinical Therapeutics, 31(2): 2416-2432.

Intracavitary malignancies are malignant cancers found in body cavities, such as the chest, abdomen or pelvis. We are developing treatments for three of the most common intercavitary malignancies: malignant ascites, malignant pleural effusions and peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Malignant Ascites

Maliganant ascites is the accumulation of significant amounts of exudate or fluid in the abdominal/peritoneal cavity, accompanied by the presence of malignant cells or tumor tissue. It accounts for 10% of all cases of ascites and occurs in association with a variety of cancers.

Malignant Pleural Effusions

Malignant pleural effusions is the accumulation of fluid containing malignant cells or tumor tissue in the pleural cavity. It affects approximately 15% of all cancer patients.

Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is the dissemination of any form of cancer within the peritoneum. It is a relatively rare but often terminal disease. It is typically seen as an advanced or late-stage manifestation of malignancies—especially gastrointestinal and gynecological.

For information about our intracavitary malignancy candidate, visit our Pipeline page.

References

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Becker, G. (2007). Medical and Palliative Management of Malignant Ascites. In: Ceelen, W.P. (eds) Peritoneal Carcinomatosis., vol 134. Springer, Boston, MA.

Bibby A., Dorn P., Psallidas I., et al. (2019). European Respiratory Society and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery statement on the management of malignant pleural effusions. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 55(1): 116–132.

Desai J., Moustarah F. (2022). Peritoneal Metastasis. Stat Pearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541114/#_NBK541114_pubdet_ - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov).

Penz, E., Watt, K.N., Hergott, C.A., et al. (2017). Management of malignant pleural effusion: challenges and solutions. Cancer Manag Res, 23(9):229-241.