Evidence of AT13387 Activity in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Models Presented at ECCO
DUBLIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTX), a pharmaceutical company
dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapies,
announced that preclinical data demonstrating that AT13387, a novel
non-ansamycin Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor, is active in in
vitro gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) models (Abstract #9407)
was presented at the 2011 ECCO (European Cancer Organization) European
Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress in Stockholm, Sweden.
In a poster presentation entitled, "AT13387, a Heat Shock Protein 90
Inhibitor in a Phase I Study Exhibits Potent Activity in GIST Models,"
Dr. John Lyons of Astex Pharmaceuticals and colleagues from Harvard's
Dana Farber Cancer Institute, demonstrated that AT13387 displayed
anti-tumor activity against a panel of human GIST cell lines. The HSP90
inhibitor was as active, or more active, than 17-AAG, a first generation
HSP90 inhibitor, in all the cell lines tested. AT13387 was also
substantially more active in the imatinib and sunitinib resistant GIST
cell line (with an IC50 of 380nM versus >1mM for imatinib and
sunitinib). AT13387 was more active in the imatinib resistant cell line
than sunitinib (IC50 of 100nM versus 285nM). Resistance to available
therapies, such as imatinib, occurs commonly in GIST tumors, and
overcoming this resistance in cancer patients could represent an
important therapeutic advancement.
"We are pleased our HSP90 inhibitor continues to show excellent
anti-tumor activity in GIST pre-clinical models," said Harren Jhoti,
Ph.D., president of Astex Pharmaceuticals. "AT13387 has progressed well
in the phase 1 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors, in which two
different dosing schedules are being investigated, and is being tested
in a phase 2 study in refractory GIST patients. This phase 2 study
represents the first combination of an HSP90 inhibitor with a tyrosine
kinase inhibitor (imatinib) in patients with GIST."
About AT13387—HSP90 inhibitor
AT13387 is a small molecule inhibitor of HSP90, a heat shock protein
implicated in a variety of cancers. HSP90 acts as a "molecular
chaperone" stabilizing and preventing the breakdown of key
cancer-forming (oncogenic) "client" proteins. As a targeted inhibitor of
HSP90, the product has the potential to control the proliferation of
multiple solid tumors and hematological malignancies where uncontrolled
tumor cell growth is dependent on the interaction between HSP90 and its
client proteins, including tumor types that have become resistant to
initial therapy.
In November 2009, Astex Pharmaceuticals entered into a Cooperative
Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US National Cancer
Institute to support the further clinical development of AT13387 over
the next 5 years with a number of single agent and combination phase
1/2a and phase 2 studies planned.
AT13387 is wholly owned by Astex Pharmaceuticals.
About Astex Pharmaceuticals
Astex Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery, development, and
commercialization of novel therapeutics with a focus on cancer. The
Company is developing a proprietary pipeline of novel cancer
therapeutics, will selectively in-license assets possessing a strategic
fit with an attractive cost — value ratio, and is creating de-risked
products for partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies. Astex
Pharmaceuticals, formerly SuperGen, developed Dacogen® and receives
significant royalties on global sales.
For more information about Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., please visit http://www.astx.com.
Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking" statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These and other forward-looking
statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such
forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements
regarding the expectations regarding the ability of the Company to
develop its pipeline of products; the expectations regarding our
clinical trials, and such other risks as identified in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010,
and the Company's most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, each as
filed with the SEC, which contain and identify important factors that
could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained
in the forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to
update any forward-looking statement contained in this press release.
Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Corporate Communications & Marketing:
Timothy
L. Enns, 925-560-2810
Senior Vice President
tim.enns@astx.com
Investor
Relations:
Susanna Chau, 925-560-2845
Manager
susanna.chau@astx.com
or
The
Trout Group
Alan Roemer, 646-378-2945
Managing
Director
aroemer@troutgroup.com
or
College
Hill
Melanie Toyne-Sewell (Europe), +44 20 7866 7866
Rebecca
Skye Dietrich (US), 857-241-0795
astex@collegehill.com
Source: Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
Close window | Back to top
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Mixx
Yahoo! Buzz