ZIOPHARM Presents Data Highlighting Oral ZIO-101 at AACR.-- Multi-targeted Drug with Anti-angiogenic Activity -- LOS ANGELES -- 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 the presentation of preclinical data strongly supportive of the development of an oral form of ZIO-101. Specifically, ZIO-101 demonstrates very high bioavailability bioavailability /bio·avail·a·bil·i·ty/ (bi?o-ah-val?ah-bil´i-te) the degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target tissue after administration. bi·o·a·vail·a·bil·i·ty n. when administered orally; in addition it evidences anti-angiogenic activity that is particularly well suited to oral administration. These data were presented in two separate posters today at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR AACR American Association for Cancer Research AACR Anglo-American Cataloging Rules AACR Australasian Association of Cancer Registries AACR African Armed Conflicts Resolved ) meeting being held in Los Angeles. Philip Komarnitsky, M.D., Ph.D., of ZIOPHARM, and colleagues presented data showing that the administration of ZIO-101 results in dramatically reduced new blood vessel blood vessel n. An elastic tubular channel, such as an artery, a vein, a sinus, or a capillary, through which the blood circulates. blood vessel(s), n the network of muscular tubes that carry blood. formation in a mouse model of angiogenesis angiogenesis /an·gio·gen·e·sis/ (-jen´e-sis) vasculogenesis; development of blood vessels either in the embryo or in the form of neovascularization or revascularization. an·gi·o·gen·e·sis n. . Anti-angiogenic therapy that utilizes lower doses of the administered drug given over sustained periods of time is particularly well suited to drugs that can be orally administered. Data from pharmacokinetic analysis of orally administered ZIO-101 in animals showed very high bioavailability. Lawrence Boise, Ph.D., from the University of Miami This article is about the university in Coral Gables, Florida. For the university in Oxford, Ohio, see Miami University. The University of Miami (also known as Miami of Florida,[2] UM,[3] or just The U , and colleagues also presented additional data supporting a ZIO-101 mechanism of action that is distinct from that of arsenic trioxide arsenic trioxide Warning - Hazardous drug! Trisenox Pharmacologic class: Nonmetallic element, white arsenic Therapeutic class: Antineoplastic , an inorganic arsenic that is currently approved for the treatment of a rare form of leukemia and used in the treatment of 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 . Differences in the way the two drugs activate genes and in their mechanisms of action suggest that ZIO-101 is likely to be active against cancer cells that are resistant to arsenic trioxide. "These preclinical data are strongly supportive of the Company's development strategy for both oral and IV ZIO-101," commented Jonathan Lewis, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. "ZIO-101 is currently in three separate phase II trials in blood and solid cancers and we expect to initiate clinical study with an oral form in the second half of 2007." 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 (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 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. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of a diverse, risk-sensitive portfolio of in-licensed cancer drugs to address unmet medical needs. The Company 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 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 |
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