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Exhibit 99.6
CONTACTS:
LORUS THERAPEUTICS INC. CANADIAN MEDIA CONTACT: US MEDIA CONTACT
Corporate Communications Eliza Walsh Jennifer Taylor
Grace Tse Mansfield Communications Inc. Mansfield Communications Inc.
Tel: (416) 798-1200 ext. 380 Tel: (416) 599-0024 Tel: (212) 370-5045
Email: ir@lorusthera.com Email: eliza@mcipr.com Email: jennifer@mcipr.com
LORUS THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCES CLINICAL STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE
COMBINATION OF GTI-2040 AND GEMCITABINE
- Complementary intracellular mechanisms provide opportunity for enhanced
effects when used together-
TSX: LOR
OTC BB: LORFF
TORONTO, CANADA, FEBRUARY 10, 2004 - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. announced today the
initiation of a clinical trial aimed at examining the clinical application of
its antisense drug, GTI-2040, in combination with gemcitabine in patients with
solid tumors. This study is part of a larger clinical development program
sponsored and coordinated by the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) in
collaboration with Lorus. Dr. Chris Takamoto, the principal investigator, is an
oncology researcher and director of pharmacokinetics at the Institute for Drug
Development, Cancer Therapy and Research Center in San Antonio, where the study
will be conducted.
GTI-2040 and gemcitabine have complementary intracellular mechanisms of action
for blocking DNA synthesis and subsequently inhibiting the growth of tumor
cells. This convergence of drug mechanisms of action provides the potential for
enhanced or synergistic effects when used in combination.
The study will determine the recommended dose of GTI-2040 when administered with
gemcitabine, an established chemotherapeutic agent. In addition, the study will
evaluate the plasma pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of each drug and
examine cellular biomarkers that may correlate with clinical outcomes. One such
biomarker is R2, the gene target of GTI-2040, and an essential component of
ribonucleotide reductase, an enzyme required for cell division. The R2 component
is elevated in many tumor types, and as such, suppression of R2 by GTI-2040 may
serve as a biomarker for clinical response. Finally a number of clinical
correlates will be investigated, in particular markers for apoptosis, or
programmed cell death, which may represent an additional mechanism by which
GTI-2040 selectively kills tumor cells.
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Preclinical research has shown that GTI-2040 has a broad spectrum of anticancer
activity across a range of human tumors in mouse xenograft models, and when
combined with other chemotherapies has improved antitumor activity with little
additional toxicity. Gemcitabine (GEMZAR) is currently approved for the
treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer and lung cancer.
"We are excited about the expanded range of clinical applications offered by
this drug combination," said Dr. Jim Wright, chief executive officer of Lorus.
"Of particular interest is the potential for GTI-2040 to reduce the development
and/or the extent of resistance of cancer cells to gemcitabine, an important
cause of treatment failure. If demonstrated this would provide new hope for
patients with drug-resistant tumors."
About Lorus
Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of
cancer therapies. Lorus' goal is to capitalize on its research, pre-clinical,
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 active acquisition and in-licensing program,
Lorus is building a portfolio of promising anti-cancer drugs. Late-stage
clinical developments and marketing will be done in cooperation with strategic
pharmaceutical partners. Founded in 1986, Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is a public
company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the
OTC BB exchange under the symbol LORFF.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-looking
statements, which reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to,
changing market conditions, the Company's ability to obtain patent protection
and protect its intellectual property rights, commercialization limitations
imposed by intellectual property rights owned or controlled by third parties,
intellectual property liability rights and liability claims asserted against the
Company, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the
establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and
pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory
approval process, product development delays, the Company's ability to attract
and retain business partners and key personnel, future levels of government
funding, the Company's ability to obtain the capital required for research,
operations and marketing and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the
Company's ongoing quarterly filings, annual information form, annual reports and
20-F filings. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s press releases are available through the Company's
Internet site: http://www.lorusthera.com.
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