Preclinical Studies Identify Novel Approach for Enhancing the Anticancer Activity of Introgen's INGN 241.Data Published in Molecular Cancer TherapeuticsAUSTIN, Texas -- Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :INGN) today announced the publication of new preclinical data describing how an intrinsic cell survival pathway impacts the anticancer activity of INGN 241. Inhibition of this pathway, known as NF-[eth][bar]B, enhanced the tumor killing effects of INGN 241 in cell culture and in preclinical models of human tumors. Researchers at Introgen and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center conducted the studies and the data appear in the current issue of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. "These studies demonstrate that mda-7, the active component of INGN 241, activates NF-[eth][bar]B in lung tumor cells," said Rajagopal Ramesh, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery cardiovascular surgery Heart surgery An operation for repairing structural defects of the cardiovascular system Examples CABG, repair of congenital heart defects, varicose veins, aortic aneurysms, ventricular remodeling, transmyocardial at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and principal author on the study. "Although the potent effects of mda-7 ultimately overcome NF-[eth][bar]B and lead to cancer cell death, these studies show that inhibition of NF-[eth][bar]B enhances the anti-cancer activity of INGN 241. This suggests that combining INGN 241 with NF-[eth][bar]B inhibitors could yield improved clinical effects. Many pharmaceutical companies are actively developing drugs targeting NF-[eth][bar]B, and these agents should enhance activity of INGN 241." A variety of chemotherapies and cytokines Cytokines Chemicals made by the cells that act on other cells to stimulate or inhibit their function. Cytokines that stimulate growth are called "growth factors. used in the treatment of cancer are known to activate NF-[eth][bar]B signaling. The current studies were undertaken to assess if INGN 241 had a similar effect. Results of tissue culture studies indicated that NF-[eth][bar]B levels in lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. cells were higher following administration of INGN 241 compared with controls and increased in a time-dependent manner. Additional cell culture analyses demonstrated that INGN 241 inhibited cell proliferation in cells with activated NF-[eth][bar]B, and that this effect was enhanced with inhibition of NF-[eth][bar]B. INGN 241 activity also was enhanced in animal models of lung tumors engineered to inhibit NF-[eth][bar]B activation. The studies also identified two other proteins, MEKK MEKK MAP/Erk Kinase Kinase 1 and caspase-3, which mediate the cell-killing effects of INGN 241. Based on these results, it is anticipated that the combination of INGN 241 and inhibitors of NF-[eth][bar]B will have an enhanced therapeutic effect and be suitable for clinical evaluation clinical evaluation Medtalk An evaluation of whether a Pt has symptoms of a disease, is responding to treatment, or is having adverse reactions to therapy . About INGN 241 INGN 241 is being tested in a Phase 2 clinical trial phase 2 clinical trial Phase 2 study. See Phase study. for patients suffering from advanced melanoma and in a Phase 3 clinical trial phase 3 clinical trial Phase 3 study. See Phase study. in combination with radiation therapy in solid tumors. The mda-7 gene is the active component of INGN 241 and was discovered in the laboratory of Dr. Paul B. Fisher, professor of clinical pathology clinical pathology n. 1. The practice of pathology as it pertains to the care of patients. 2. The subspecialty in pathology concerned with the theoretical and technical aspects of laboratory technology that pertain to the at Columbia University Columbia University, mainly in New York City; founded 1754 as King's College by grant of King George II; first college in New York City, fifth oldest in the United States; one of the eight Ivy League institutions. . Introgen holds an exclusive worldwide sublicense to the Columbia University rights for all gene therapy applications from GlaxoSmithKline. About Introgen Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen is developing molecular therapeutics, immunotherapies, vaccines and nano-particle tumor suppressor sup·pres·sor n. 1. or sup·press·er One that suppresses: a suppressor of free speech. 2. A gene that suppresses the phenotypic expression of another gene, especially of a mutant gene. therapies to treat a wide range of cancers using tumor suppressors, cytokines and genes. Introgen maintains integrated research, development, manufacturing, clinical and regulatory departments and operates multiple manufacturing facilities including a commercial scale cGMP manufacturing facility. Introgen holds a licensing agreement with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to commercialize products based on licensed technologies, and has the option to license future technologies under sponsored research agreements. The University of Texas Board of Regents An independent governing body that oversees a state's public Colleges and Universities. All 50 states have governing bodies that oversee the administration of public education. owns stock in Introgen. These arrangements are managed in accordance with M. D. Anderson's conflict of interest policies. Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, including those relating to Introgen's future success with its INGN 241 clinical development program in combination for treatment of cancer. The actual results may differ from those described in this release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen's operations and business environment, including Introgen's stage of product development and the limited experience in the development of gene-based drugs in general, dependence upon proprietary technology and the current competitive environment, history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of Introgen's product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals, Introgen's patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Introgen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. and Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. . Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof. Editor's Note: For more information on Introgen Therapeutics, or for a menu of archived press releases, please visit Introgen's Website at: www.introgen.com. |
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