Lorus Therapeutics presents new findings for the anticancer drugs LOR-253 and LOR-2040
April 16 2008 - 8:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Scientific Presentation at the 99th Annual Meeting of the
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) - TORONTO, April 16
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lorus Therapeutics Inc. ("Lorus") (TSX:
LOR; AMEX: LRP), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the
research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical
products and technologies for the management of cancer, today
announced presentations of further preclinical data from its two
lead anticancer drugs at the Annual Meeting of the AACR in San
Diego, CA, April 12-16, 2008. The first presentation titled,
"Preclinical development of LOR-253, a novel anticancer drug
candidate that functions by modulating intracellular labile zinc
homeostasis leading to cell cycle arrest," will be presented on
April 16, 2008. In this presentation, Lorus provided data on the
preclinical development of LOR-253 (formerly known as LT-253), the
Company's lead anticancer small molecule, with a novel cellular
target. In animal studies, LOR-253 showed a favorable
pharmacokinetic profile following intravenous dosing. A key finding
of the study was the tissue distribution of LOR-253, where the drug
was detected in tumor tissues in animal models, with significant
affinity for lung and colon tissues. These results strongly support
the potential treatment of these cancers with LOR-253, which has
shown selective and potent anticancer activity in animal models of
non-small cell lung cancer and colon cancer. LOR-253 is currently
in IND-enabling GLP toxicology studies, which are to be completed
by mid-2008. Planning of a Phase I clinical trial in cancer
indications for LOR-253 is in progress. The second presentation,
presented on April 13, 2008 titled, "GTI-2040 displays cooperative
anti-tumor activity, when combined with chemotherapeutics and
immunotherapeutics against human renal carcinoma xenografts". This
study reported preclinical results from combination therapies with
GTI-2040, which is now known as LOR-2040. The data showed that
LOR-2040 significantly improved the anticancer efficacy of an
important group of cytokine immunotherapeutic agents, including
interferon alpha and interleukin-2, which have been used in the
treatment of solid tumors. The findings expand the potential
avenues for development of LOR-2040. "We are pleased to be able to
present and discuss our findings at the AACR annual meeting",
commented Dr. Aiping Young, President and CEO of Lorus. "These
studies show our continued commitment to high quality preclinical
research that is in-line with our ongoing clinical programs and
corporate strategy". About LOR-2040 LOR-2040 is a DNA-based 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. Currently, LOR-2040 is in seven clinical
studies, including a Phase II trial in AML, Phase I in MDS and
Acute Leukemias, and five Phase I/II trials in solid tumors. About
LOR-253 LOR-253 is a small molecule compound that has shown
selective and potent antitumor activity in a variety of human
cancers, including colon cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, and
has an excellent therapeutic window due to its low toxicity. The
mode of action of LOR-253 involves the downregulation of cyclin D1,
an important regulator of cell cycle progression and cell
proliferation, and induction of the tumor suppressor Kruppel like
factor 4 (KLF-4). Alterations in KLF-4 expression and the cyclin D1
regulatory pathway have been linked to the development of cancer.
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 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 contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such
statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to:
financings and corporate reorganizations, the establishment of
corporate alliances, the Company's plans, objectives, expectations
and intentions and other statements including words such as
"continue", "expect", "intend", "will", "should", "would", "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 described in this press release. Such expressed or
implied forward looking statements could include, 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 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 filings with
Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission 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 its
website at http://www.lorusthera.com/. For Lorus' regulatory
filings on SEDAR, please go to http://www.sedar.com/. For SEDAR
filings prior to July 10, 2007 you will find these under the
company profile for Global Summit Real Estate Inc. (Old Lorus).
DATASOURCE: Lorus Therapeutics Inc. CONTACT: Lorus Therapeutics
Inc., Dr. Saeid Babaei, (416) 798-1200 ext. 490,
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