Lorus Therapeutics announces presentation on GTI-2040 uptake by tumor cells in acute myeloid leukemia
01 November 2006 - 11:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
- Presentation at the American Association of Pharmaceutical
Scientists Meeting - TORONTO, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Lorus Therapeutics Inc. ("Lorus") (TSX: LOR; AMEX: LRP), a
biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and
development of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the
management of cancer, announces presentation of GTI-2040
pharmacokinetics in patients with acute myeloid leukemia at the
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Meeting in
San Antonio, TX (October 29 - November 2, 2006). The presentation
entitled "Population Pharmacokinetics (PK) of GTI-2040 in Patients
with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)" reports uptake of GTI-2040 in
distinct subcellular compartments of leukemic cells at levels that
exceeded plasma levels. The uptake of GTI-2040 was measured through
an ultra-sensitive analytic method. The results of this study
identified specific patterns of intracellular distribution of the
parent drug predictive of both biologic and clinical responses.
These data are consistent with previous findings, showing that
GTI-2040 levels in circulating leukemic cells were 2.7 times higher
and more sustained than values seen in plasma. The levels were even
greater in leukemic blast cells in bone marrow, which is the
primary target tissue in the treatment of leukemia. "These data
provide further support for our GTI-2040 antisense program,
particularly in the treatment of AML where direct measurement of
the effects of GTI-2040 in leukemic blast cells can result in a
better assessment of therapeutic benefit," said Dr. Aiping Young,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Lorus. "The sophisticated
and highly sensitive methodologies developed and used in Dr. Chan's
laboratory will allow us to better demonstrate the correlations
between drug plasma and tissue levels, target downregulation, and
disease response in future leukemia clinical trials. We will
continue to focus on target validation, including cellular uptake
and activity of our drugs as part of our clinical development
strategy." The pharmacokinetic studies with GTI-2040 presented in
this study are part of an ongoing investigation of GTI-2040
combination therapy with cytarabine in patients with refractory and
relapsed AML. These studies are conducted at Ohio State University
under the direction of Dr. Guido Marcucci and sponsored by the
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) of the US National Cancer
Institute under the Clinical Trials Agreement with Lorus. 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 Lorus Lorus is a publicly
traded 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, 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. Late-stage clinical development and marketing
will be done in cooperation with strategic pharmaceutical partners.
Lorus has completed one Phase II and one Phase III clinical trial.
Lorus has several product candidates in multiple Phase II clinical
trials. 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 expectations regarding
future financings, our plans to conduct clinical trials, the
successful and timely completion of clinical studies and the
regulatory approval process, 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 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 Report 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: Investor Relations, Lorus Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Saeid
Babaei, Phone: (416) 798-1200, x490, ; Media Relations, Mansfield
Communications, Susana Hsu, Phone: (416) 599-0024,
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