OXiGENE'S Novel Cathepsin L Inhibitors Demonstrate Antitumor Efficacy in Preclinical Studies
April 04 2011 - 8:00AM
OXiGENE, Inc. (Nasdaq:OXGN), a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical
company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye
diseases, announced the presentation of positive preclinical data
supporting development of its novel, non-peptidic cathepsin L
inhibitors as anticancer agents. The data were presented today at
the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer
Research in Orlando, Florida.
Cysteine cathepsins are a family of lysosomal proteases that are
often up-regulated in a variety of cancers and that have been
implicated in key processes in cancer progression. Small
molecule inhibitors of the cysteine protease cathepsin L have the
potential to limit degradation of extracellular matrix in the
normal tissue surrounding the tumor, thus retarding cancer
metastasis. It has also been established that cathepsin L is
involved in blood vessel development, and thus inhibitors have the
potential to suppress tumor growth and dissemination through an
anti-angiogenic effect.
"The discovery of new chemotherapeutic strategies for inhibiting
the growth and spread of cancer, such as our novel class of
cathepsin inhibitors, represents an important achievement in the
effort to enhance both cancer patient quality of life and
survival. We are very encouraged by the preclinical safety and
efficacy data presented at the AACR meeting with our small molecule
cathepsin L inhibitors. Our goal is to advance these promising
agents towards clinical evaluation," said Dr. Dai Chaplin,
OXiGENE's Chief Scientific Officer
In a presentation titled, Abrogation of Prostate Cancer Cell
Metastatic Phenotype by Cathepsin L Inhibition, Dhivya Sudhan and
Professor Dietmar Siemann from The Shands Cancer Center at The
University of Florida demonstrated that OXiGENE's lead cathepsin L
inhibitor, KGP94, inhibited the metastatic phenotype in the three
human prostate cancer cell lines. KGP94 mediated abrogation of
tumor cell migration and invasion occurred in the absence of
cytotoxic effects and was a consequence of an inhibitory effect on
secreted and not nuclear cathespsin-L.
Professor Siemann commented: "Our findings strongly support a
mechanism of action where KGP94 affects the ability of cathepsin-L
to break down extracellular matrix, which is important in invasive
and angiogenic processes."
A second presentation, titled Development and Initial Evaluation
of the Antitumor Activity of a Functionalized Benzophenone
Thiosemicarbazone Inhibitor of Cathepsin L, by Professors Mary Lynn
Trawick and Kevin G. Pinney from Baylor University and
Professor Michael Horsman from Arhus University Hospital in
Denmark, demonstrated that KGP94 and other structurally related
compounds inhibited the invasion and migration of DU145 prostate
cancer cells through matrigel. In addition, the professors
presented initial in vivo data from a mouse breast cancer model
showing significant antitumor effects against both recently
implanted and established tumors. These antitumor effects are
consistent with a mechanism impacting tumor growth and
vascularization.
About OXiGENE, Inc.
OXiGENE is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing
novel small-molecule therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases.
The Company's major focus is the clinical advancement of drug
candidates that selectively disrupt abnormal blood vessels
associated with solid tumor progression and visual impairment.
OXiGENE is dedicated to leveraging its intellectual property
position and therapeutic development expertise to bring life saving
and enhancing medicines to patients.
The OXiGENE, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4969
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this press
release, which includes statements about expectations, plans and
future development of OXiGENE's technologies, may turn out to be
wrong. Forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate
assumptions OXiGENE might make or by known or unknown risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risk that the
development of OXiGENE's cathepsin L inhibitor-based therapeutics
may be delayed, may not proceed as planned, or may not be
completed. Additional information concerning factors that could
cause actual results to materially differ from those in the
forward-looking statements is contained in OXiGENE's reports to the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including OXiGENE's reports on
Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. However, OXiGENE undertakes no obligation
to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of
new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT: Investor and Media Contact:
Michelle Edwards, Investor Relations
medwards@oxigene.com
650-635-7006
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