Enzo Biochem Reports Publication of Study on Therapeutic Candidate SK1-I Detailing Promising Results in a Model of Treatment-...
December 03 2018 - 09:00AM
Business Wire
Drug Candidate SK1-I Shown to Reverse
Tamoxifen Resistance in Human Breast Cancer Preclinical
Study
Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ), an integrated diagnostics and
therapeutics company, today reported the publication of a study in
the Journal of Lipid Research by researchers at a collaborating
institution that shows SK1-I, the company’s proprietary Sphingosine
Kinase 1 inhibitor drug candidate, was effective in reversing
resistance to the breast cancer drug tamoxifen in a
tamoxifen-resistant human breast cancer cell line. As pointed out
in the publication, endocrine therapy, such as tamoxifen, is a
first line treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
patients. However, more than 50% of patients who initially respond
to tamoxifen ultimately fail therapy due to the development of
resistance. These results suggest that SK1-I may have potential in
the treatment of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancers.
Elazar Rabbani, Ph.D., CEO of Enzo Biochem, Inc. commented:
“Regulation of the Sphingosine pathway for the potential treatment
of a variety of cancers has become an area of pioneering interest
in the field of oncology. Our research results, as well as those of
our collaborators, show that SK1-I, Enzo’s proprietary Sphingosine
Kinase 1 inhibitor, may address significant unmet medical needs in
the treatment of particular oncology indications and immune-related
disorders, and warrants further development. We look forward to
advancing this therapeutics program in the coming year.”
Sphingosine Kinase 1 is a key enzyme in the Sphingosine pathway
that has been implicated in tumor cell growth and pathological
inflammation. The enzyme acts by phosphorylating the cellular lipid
Sphingosine to Sphingosine 1-Phosphate (S1P), an important
biological mediator of tumor cell proliferation and drug resistance
in various cancers, and of immune function. SK1-I is a small
molecule that specifically inhibits Sphingosine Kinase 1 and has
shown anti-cancer activity in various models of hematological
cancers, such as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and solid
tumors, such as glioblastoma.
As a result of Enzo’s research, a novel solid tumor indication
for SK1-I has also recently been validated in multiple in vitro
human tumor cell line models and is undergoing further development.
In further support of this program, Enzo has established in-house
GMP manufacturing of SK1-I and is planning to initiate in vivo
tumor xenograft studies for the lead solid tumor indication using
the GMP-manufactured compound in the near term. The company is also
exploring various partnership approaches for the continued
development of the compound.
Apart from oncology, in the immunoregulation area, another of
Enzo’s research collaborators has shown that SK1-I prevents the
induction of Interferon Gamma (IFNγ), a major inflammatory
biomarker, in a well-established Concanavalin A (ConA) induced
animal model of autoimmune hepatitis.
The compound SK1-I and related compounds, as well as their use
in oncology and other therapeutic areas, are covered by a family of
issued U.S. patents co-owned by Enzo and Virginia Commonwealth
University and exclusively licensed by VCU to Enzo. Foreign patent
family members have also issued or been allowed. The basic patent
terms of the U.S. patents in this patent family continue into 2029,
before possible extensions. On May 22, 2018, the latest patent in
this family, U.S. Patent No. 9,974,758, which is directed to
methods for treating cancer using SK1-I, was issued.
More recently, the company filed a new family of patent
applications, both in the U.S. and internationally, that are
directed to novel oncology indications for SK1-I, including the
company’s lead solid tumor indication. The basic patent terms for
any U.S. patents that may issue from this patent family will
continue into 2038, before possible extensions.
About Enzo Biochem
Enzo Biochem is a pioneer in molecular diagnostics, leading the
convergence of clinical laboratories, life sciences and
intellectual property through the development of unique diagnostic
platform technologies that provide numerous advantages over
previous standards. A global company, Enzo Biochem utilizes
cross-functional teams to develop and deploy products, systems and
services that meet the ever-changing and rapidly growing needs of
health care today and into the future. Underpinning Enzo Biochem’s
products and technologies is a broad and deep intellectual property
portfolio, with patent coverage across a number of key enabling
technologies.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this
news release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent,
belief or current expectations of the Company and its management,
including those related to cash flow, gross margins, revenues, and
expenses which are dependent on a number of factors outside of the
control of the Company including, inter alia, the markets for the
Company’s products and services, costs of goods and services, other
expenses, government regulations, litigation, and general business
conditions. See Risk Factors in the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 2018. Investors are cautioned that any
such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that
could materially affect actual results. The Company disclaims any
obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of
developments occurring after the date of this press release.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181203005117/en/
Enzo Biochem, Inc.Steve Anreder,
212-532-3232steven.anreder@anreder.comorMichael Wachs, CEOcast,
Inc., 212-732-4300mwachs@ceocast.com
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