ZIOPHARM Initiates ZIO-101 Phase II Study in Hematological Cancers.NEW YORK New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of -- ZIOPHARM Oncology, 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 : ZIOP) announced today that ZIO-101, a novel, proprietary organic arsenic, has been administered to the first patient in a phase II trial in blood and bone marrow cancers. Designed to confirm the anti-cancer activity of ZIO-101 seen in the phase I hematological hematological, hematologic pertaining to or emanating from blood cells. hematological tests total and differential white cell counts, hematocrit estimation, erythrocyte count. trial, patients will receive intravenous ZIO-101 once daily for five consecutive days every four weeks for up to six cycles. The Company anticipates enrolling up to 40 patients at five U.S. clinical sites. This study complements an ongoing phase II trial to treat advanced multiple myeloma multiple myeloma A malignant proliferation of abnormal plasma cells that populate the marrow-containing bones of the body. The affected plasma cells produce myeloma protein, a monoclonal antibody that replaces normal antibodies in the blood, thereby increasing susceptibility in which the drug is administered using this same schedule as well as a second trial with a schedule that is twice weekly for three consecutive weeks. "Preclinical and phase I trial results were very encouraging and demonstrated that ZIO-101 has anti-leukemia activity and may be an effective treatment in diverse blood and bone marrow cancers," said Robert Peter Gale, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research at ZIOPHARM. "We anticipate this trial will further validate the activity signals indicated from the phase I trials, and we look forward to advancing the clinical development of this novel, anti-cancer drug." The Company plans to initiate phase II trials with ZIO-101 in solid cancers in Q1 2007 and expects to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a phase I study with an oral formulation of ZIO-101. These programs are part of ZIOPHARM's strategy to develop the full potential of this novel, small molecule, anti-cancer drug About ZIO-101 ZIO-101 is a proprietary small molecule organic arsenic licensed from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Texas A&M University. ZIO-101 induces cell cycle arrest and cell death by targeting several cellular pathways essential for cell survival. Exposure to ZIO-101 has a direct as well as indirect effect on mitochondrial mitochondrial pertaining to mitochondria. mitochondrial RNAs a unique set of tRNAs, mRNAs, rRNAs, transcribed from mitochondrial DNA by a mitochondrial-specific RNA polymerase, that account for about 4% of the total cell RNA that functions, resulting in depletion of energy supply to the cell and induction of apoptosis apoptosis or programmed cell death Mechanism that allows cells to self-destruct when stimulated by the appropriate trigger. It may be initiated when a cell is no longer needed, when a cell becomes a threat to the organism's health, or for other reasons. (programmed cell death pro·grammed cell death n. See apoptosis. programmed cell death proposed system of cell death, often including poly(ADP)-ribosylation, ensures that a cell will not survive if it is so badly damaged that its recovery would harm the ). Increase in intra-cellular Reactive Oxygen Species reactive oxygen species, n molecules and ions of oxygen that have an unpaired electron, thus rendering them extremely reactive. Many cellular structures are susceptible to attack by ROS contributing to cancer, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. enhances this effect on mitochondrial functions and consequently the activation of the signal transduction Signal transduction The transmission of molecular signals from a cell's exterior to its interior. Molecular signals are transmitted between cells by the secretion of hormones and other chemical factors, which are then picked up by different cells. pathway leading to apoptosis. In addition, ZIO-101 interrupts the cell cycle at the G2/M phase of tumor cells inducing cell death through this pathway as well. About ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. applies new insights from molecular and cancer biology to understand the efficacy and safety limitations of approved and developmental cancer therapies and identifies proprietary and related molecules for better patient treatment. For more information, visit www.ziopharm.com. Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements for ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurance that any of the Company's development efforts relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc its product candidates will be successful, or such product candidates will be successfully commercialized. Other risks that affect forward-looking information contained in this press release include the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of the Company's product candidates, the risk that the results of clinical trials may not support the Company's claims, and risks related to the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property and its reliance on third parties to develop its product candidates. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. ZIOP-G |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion