GPC Biotech AG has started testing its cancer drug Satraplatin in combination with Taxotere (docetaxel).

The new phase one study will be evaluating the drug in patients with advanced solid tumours.

It hopes to enrol up to 48 patients to look at the levels of toxicity, determine maximum tolerated doses, and recommend a Phase II dosage for this drug combination.

Satraplatin on its own is already in Phase three of a trial which sees the drug acting as a second-line chemotherapy treatment for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Testing is being carried out at the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center (UWCCC).

Dr George Wilding from the university said: "I am excited to have the opportunity for the UWCCC to conduct this clinical study to develop a treatment regimen combining satraplatin and Taxotere.

"The favourable safety profile and clinical activity of satraplatin in several solid tumour types and the proven efficacy of Taxotere in various cancers make this a treatment regimen that has the potential to help many patients with cancer."

Over the past two decades platinum-based drugs, like satraplatin, have become a crucial part of modern chemotherapy treatments and are used to treat a wide variety of cancers.

The advantage of this new combined drug is that it can be taken orally, unlike conventional platinum drugs which need to be administered intravenously.

Last year worldwide sales of platinum-based drugs exceeded $2.2 billion.