Sunesis Presents Data on Anti-Cancer Compound SNS-032 at American Association for Cancer Research Meeting
04 April 2006 - 11:30PM
PR Newswire (US)
SNS-032 Demonstrated to Have Dual Activity, Targeting Both
Proliferation and Apoptosis WASHINGTON, April 4
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(NASDAQ:SNSS) presented data at the Annual Meeting of the American
Association for Cancer Research (AACR) highlighting the mechanism
of action for SNS-032 and providing new insights into its potential
benefits for the treatment of various cancers. SNS-032 is currently
in a Phase I/II clinical study to identify the maximum-tolerated
dose, examine its safety and preliminary evidence of anti-tumor
activity in patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies,
including lung cancer, breast cancer or melanoma. Data presented
today from in vitro studies of SNS-032 conducted by Sunesis
demonstrate that the compound is a potent, highly selective
inhibitor of Cyclin Dependent Kinases (CDK) 2, 7 and 9. CDK2 and
CDK7 are key regulators of cell-cycle progression. CDK9 and CDK7
additionally play a role in transcriptional regulation,
particularly affecting short-half-life proteins including several
survival proteins such as MCL-1. Cells treated with SNS-032
demonstrate cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis (programmed cell
death). In addition, researchers observed that SNS-032 acts to
deplete cells of MCL-1, a protein associated with cancer cell
survival, particularly in B-cell malignancies such as CLL and
multiple myeloma. These data indicate that SNS- 032 targets both
proliferation and apoptosis pathways and, in addition to treatment
of solid tumors, may be a useful treatment for hematologic tumors.
Sunesis plans to begin a Phase I clinical trial of SNS-032 in
patients with advanced B-cell malignancies later this year.
"SNS-032's ability to both target cell proliferation and to
circumvent the mechanism by which certain cancers avoid apoptosis
underline SNS-032's potential to be a useful treatment of a variety
of cancer types," said Daniel C. Adelman, M.D., Senior Vice
President, Research and Development at Sunesis. "The studies being
presented today for SNS-032 underscore that our R&D group has
an established strength in identifying and elucidating our oncology
drug candidates' mechanisms of action and pharmacological
properties. We believe this expertise enables Sunesis to make
informed clinical strategy decisions to advance our portfolio of
cell cycle inhibitors efficiently through clinical development."
The poster containing these data, "SNS-032 is a potent and
selective inhibitor of CDK 2, 7 and 9 and induces cell death by
inhibiting cell cycle progression and the expression of
antiapoptotic proteins (abstract # 2079) was presented in the Cell
Cycle Components as Therapeutics session of the AACR. About
Sunesis' Oncology Programs In addition to SNS-032, Sunesis has
built a portfolio of preclinical- and development-stage product
candidates in oncology focused on novel pathways and targets,
including inhibition of the cell cycle and survival signaling.
Sunesis' most advanced product candidate is SNS-595, a promising
first-in- class cancer therapeutic currently in a Phase I acute
leukemia trial and Phase II non-small cell and small cell lung
cancer trials. SNS-595, a napthyridine analog, has a novel
mechanism of action that selectively targets and kills
proliferating cells during the DNA replication phase of the cell
cycle. SNS- 595 works through the DNA-protein kinase and p73
dependent pathways to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
In clinical trials conducted to date, SNS-595 has been well
tolerated and has shown promising signs of clinical activity. In
earlier preclinical evaluation, SNS-595 demonstrated broad and
potent activity across xenograft, syngeneic and drug-resistant
models. Sunesis is currently conducting preclinical studies of its
Aurora kinase inhibitor drug candidate, SNS-314. In addition, in
cooperation with Biogen Idec, Sunesis is developing novel small
molecule inhibitors of Raf kinase and other oncology kinases. About
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Sunesis is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and
commercialization of novel small molecule therapeutics for oncology
and other serious diseases. Sunesis has built a broad product
candidate portfolio through internal discovery and in-licensing of
novel cancer therapeutics. Sunesis is advancing its product
candidates through in-house research and development efforts and
strategic collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and
biopharmaceutical companies. Forward-Looking Statements This press
release may contain forward-looking statements that involve
substantial risks and uncertainties. Sunesis may not actually
achieve the plans, intentions or expectations contained in such
forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ
materially from the plans, intentions and expectations contained in
such forward-looking statements. Sunesis does not assume any
obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. For
further information on Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, please visit
http://www.sunesis.com/ . DATASOURCE: Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: investors, Eric Bjerkholt, CFO of Sunesis Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., +1-650-266-3717; or media, Karen L. Bergman, +1-650-575-1509,
or Michelle Corral, +1-415-794-8662, both of BCC Partners for
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Web site: http://www.sunesis.com/
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