Lorus Therapeutics Announces Scientific Presentations for Lead Antisense and siRNA Drug Candidates at International Cancer Confe
2007年4月17日 - 10:30PM
PRニュース・ワイアー (英語)
98th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
(AACR) TORONTO, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lorus
Therapeutics Inc. ("Lorus") (TSX: LOR; AMEX: LRP) today announced
presentation of research on their lead antisense and siRNA
compounds at the 98th Annual Meeting of the AACR in Los Angeles,
CA, April 14-18, 2007. The first presentation titled,
"Determination of optimized administration schedule of GTI-2040 and
docetaxel combination treatment for NSCLC cells in vitro and in
vivo," was presented on April 15, 2007. This research determined a
new optimal dosing schedule of GTI-2040 and docetaxel, which
resulted in greatly enhanced synergy when docetaxel was given 48
hours after GTI-2040 compared to concomitant administration. This
strong synergy was seen in vivo even after a single dose of
GTI-2040. The discovery that administration of GTI-2040 prior to
docetaxel is associated with this synergy, possibly through a
'stressor' effect due to decreased levels of R2 target expression,
may potentially apply to other GTI-2040 combinations as well. This
new sequential dose strategy will be an important consideration to
maximize efficacy in the GTI-2040 clinical program. The second
presentation titled, "siRNAs targeting the R2 subunit of human
ribonucleotide reductase exhibit in vitro and in vivo antitumor
activity," will be presented on April 17, 2007. In this research,
Lorus screened a series of siRNAs to select a lead drug candidate,
siRNA-1284. siRNA-1284 demonstrated potent antiproliferative and
antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo, coinciding with
specific target silencing. These data warrant further development
of siRNA-1284 as an anticancer agent. Lorus is also pursuing other
cancer targets with its siRNA platform technology to screen and
evaluate novel siRNA drug candidates. "The research announced today
provides important supporting data for Lorus' drug development
strategies involving antisense and siRNA," commented Dr. Aiping
Young, Lorus' President and CEO. "The novel findings involving
GTI-2040 combined with docetaxel provide an important new approach
for optimizing combination therapies with GTI-2040, which may be
particularly relevant to future GTI-2040 trials in solid tumor
indications. We are also very pleased with the identification of
our lead siRNA drug, adding to our growing platform of
DNA/RNA-based medicines." About GTI-2040 GTI-2040 is an antisense
drug that specifically targets the R2 component of ribonucleotide
reductase, which is required for DNA synthesis and cell
proliferation. R2 has also been described as a malignant
determinant that is elevated in a wide range of tumors, and through
down regulation can cooperate with a variety of cellular cancer
causing genes known as oncogenes to enhance tumor growth and
metastatic potential. About siRNA siRNA is a novel class of
molecules that can decrease cellular target RNA expression through
an antisense process known as RNA interference (RNAi). Because of
its target specificity, RNAi is increasingly being examined as a
potential therapy for a variety of diseases including cancer. From
an evolutionary perspective, RNAi helps protect cells from viruses
and transposable genetic elements in addition to carrying out more
routine cellular tasks essential to development and growth. In
mammalian cells siRNAs have been shown to be the most effective
tools for RNAi, allowing for the development of clean and easily
regulated methods for disruption of gene expression. siRNA
technology allows for a range of new applications including target
validation for drug discovery and medical therapeutics. About Lorus
Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and
development of novel therapeutics in cancer. Lorus' goal is to
capitalize on its research, preclinical, clinical and regulatory
expertise by developing new drug candidates that can be used,
either alone, or in combination with other drugs, to successfully
manage cancer. Through its own discovery efforts and an acquisition
and in-licensing program, Lorus is building a portfolio of
promising anticancer drugs. Lorus has several product candidates in
multiple Phase II clinical trials and has completed one Phase II
and one Phase III clinical trial. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is listed
on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the
American Stock Exchange under the symbol LRP. Forward looking
statements This press release may contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws.
Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements
relating to: our research program plans, our plans to conduct
clinical trials, the successful and timely completion of clinical
studies and the regulatory approval process, our ability to fund
future research, our plans to obtain partners to assist in the
further development of our product candidates, the establishment of
corporate alliances, the Company's plans, objectives, expectations
and intentions and other statements including words such as
"continue", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "will",
"should", "may", and other similar expressions. Such statements
reflect our current views with respect to future events and are
subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a
number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered
reasonable by us are inherently subject to significant business,
economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and
contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among
others: our ability to obtain the capital required for research and
operations, the inherent risks in early stage drug development
including demonstrating efficacy, development time/cost and the
regulatory approval process; the progress of our clinical trials;
our ability to find and enter into agreements with potential
partners; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; changing
market conditions; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in
our ongoing quarterly filings, annual information forms, annual
reports and annual filings with Canadian securities regulators and
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the
assumptions set out in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our
Annual Information Form underlying those forward-looking statements
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those
described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of
the date of this press release and we do not intend, and do not
assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements,
except as required by law. We cannot assure you that such
statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future
events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements
are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors
are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking
statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Lorus
Therapeutics Inc.'s recent press releases are available through the
Company's website at http://www.lorusthera.com/. DATASOURCE: Lorus
Therapeutics Inc. CONTACT: Lorus Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Saeid
Babaei, (416) 798-1200 ext. 490,
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