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Cevira is in development as a local treatment for human papilloma virus (HPV) and precancerous lesions (dysplasia) of the cervix without damaging healthy tissue. With Cevira Photocure aim to develop the first non-surgical treatment for precancerous cervical lesions using photodynamic therapy (PDT). Cevira treatment is administered locally and remains in contact with the cervix to deliver treatment for up to 24 hours. A cup holds the ointment against the cervix for initial absorption. After a few hours a light source within the cup emits light at a specific wavelength so the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient, hexylaminolevulinate (HAL) react with the tissue.

Mechanism of action
Alpharadin uses alpha radiation from radium-223 decay to kill cancer cells. Radium-223 naturally self-targets to bone metastases by virtue of its properties as a calcium-mimic.

Alpha radiation has a very short range of 2-10 cells (when compared to current radiation therapy which is based on beta or gamma radiation), and therefore causes less damage to surrounding healthy tissues (particularly bone marrow). Radium-223 has a half life of 11.4 days, making it ideal for targeted cancer treatment. Furthermore, any Alpharadin that is not taken up by the bone metastases is rapidly cleared to the gut and excreted.

Trials
In the Phase IIa study with an external light source, Cevira 5% vaginal suppositories were applied for five hours followed by a light dose of 50 J/cm2 to 70 patients. At six months, HPV lesions were completely cleared in 57% of women in the treatment arm as compared to 25% in the control group.

In a new feasibility study the objective was to verify the safety and tolerability of administration and removal of the new device with an integrated light source and drug delivery system. In addition, patients were followed for six months for safety and efficacy. Results showed that the single-use drug-device was easily administered by the gynecologist and well tolerated by the patients. Additionally the study demonstrated encouraging early efficacy results, with seventy percent of patients having complete lesion response and twenty percent had partial response.

Cevira is currently in clinical trial phase IIb and the estimated study completion for phase IIb is November 2012.

In clinical trials, Alpharadin was administered by intravenous injection once a month for 4 or 6 months.