Lorus
Therapeutics Presents New Findings for First-in-class
Anticancer
Drug
Candidate LOR-253
-
Scientific Presentation at the 100th Annual
Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) -
TORONTO, CANADA, APRIL 20, 2009
– Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: LOR) (“Lorus”), a biopharmaceutical
company specializing in the research and development of pharmaceutical products
and technologies for the management of cancer, today announced the presentation
of preclinical data for its lead small molecule anticancer drug candidate
LOR-253 at the Annual Meeting of the AACR in Denver, CO, April 18-22,
2009.
The
presentation entitled “Mechanistic studies of a novel small molecule anticancer
drug, LOR-253, on cell cycle arrest and angiogenesis” was presented on April 19,
2009. The abstract for the presentation (Abstract Number: 1822) is
available online on the AACR website (http://www.aacr.org).
In the
presentation, Lorus provided new data from the preclinical evaluation of LOR-253
(formerly known as LT-253), a novel first-in-class inhibitor of the target Metal
Responsive Transcription Factor-1 (MTF-1).
The
studies presented further explore the detailed mechanism of action of LOR-253.
The key findings include MTF-1 dependent induction of a novel tumor suppressor,
namely Krupple Like Factor-4 (KLF-4), leading to activation of several
inhibitors of tumor growth as well as repression of several tumor promoters.
These alterations were demonstrated specifically in cancer cells, but not in
normal cells, which supports a strong LOR-253-mediated antitumor activity. These
observations occurred at safe doses in several animal studies.
Lorus
also reported for the first time that LOR-253 inhibits angiogenesis, which is
the formation of new blood vessels that promotes tumor growth. In animal
studies, non-small cell lung tumors isolated from LOR-253 treated mice showed
reduced blood vessel density, indicating inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. The
tumors also showed reduced expression of Hypoxia Induced Factor-1 (HIF-1 a
known angiogenesis stimulator, through inhibition of MTF-1.
LOR-253
is currently in late stage preclinical development. An
Investigational New Drug (IND) application for LOR-253 is being finalized and is
to be filed with the U.S. FDA in Q2 2009 for a Phase I dose escalation trial in
selected solid tumors.
“These
new results provide additional proof of anticancer mechanisms for LOR-253, and demonstrates the value of this novel
compound to our pipeline”, said Dr. Aiping Young, Lorus’ President and CEO. “We
are especially pleased to report that LOR-253 inhibits angiogenesis, which is a
well validated mechanism for progression of cancer and other
diseases”.
About
LOR-253
LOR-253
is a small molecule compound that has shown selective and potent antitumor
activity in a variety of human cancers, including colon cancer and non-small
cell lung cancer, and has an excellent therapeutic window due to its low
toxicity. LOR-253 is a first-in-class inhibitor of the novel cancer target
Metal-Responsive Transcription Factor 1 (MTF-1). The mode of action
of LOR-253 involves the downregulation of cyclin D1, an important regulator of
cell cycle progression and cell proliferation, and decreased expression of genes
involved in tumor hypoxia (low oxygen content) and
angiogenesis. Increased angiogenesis and alterations in the cyclin D1
regulatory pathway and have been linked to the development of
cancer.
About
Lorus
Lorus
is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of novel
therapeutics in cancer. Lorus’ goal is to capitalize on its research,
preclinical, clinical and regulatory expertise by developing new drug candidates
that can be used, either alone, or in combination with other drugs, to
successfully manage cancer. Through its own discovery efforts and an acquisition
and in-licensing program, Lorus is building a portfolio of promising anticancer
drugs. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol LOR.
Forward
Looking Statements
This
press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such statements include, but are not limited
to, statements relating to: our research program plans, our plans to conduct
clinical trials, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies and
the regulatory approval process, our ability to fund future research, our plans
to obtain partners to assist in the further development of our product
candidates, the establishment of corporate alliances, the Company’s plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements including words
such as “continue”, “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “should”,
“may”, and other similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views
with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are
necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while
considered reasonable by us are inherently subject to significant business,
economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies.
Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that
may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among
others: our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to repay or
refinance the convertible debentures by October 2009; our ability to obtain the
capital required for research and operations, the inherent risks in early stage
drug development including demonstrating efficacy, development time/cost and the
regulatory approval process; the progress of our clinical trials; our ability to
find and enter into agreements with potential partners; our ability to attract
and retain key personnel; changing market conditions; and other risks detailed
from time-to-time in our ongoing quarterly filings, annual information forms,
annual reports and annual filings with Canadian securities regulators and the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Should
one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the
assumptions set out in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual
Information Form underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These
forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and we
do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking
statements, except as required by law. We cannot assure you that such statements
will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned
that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking
statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Lorus
Therapeutics Inc.’s recent press releases are available through the Company’s
website at www.lorusthera.com. For Lorus' regulatory filings on SEDAR, please go
to www.Sedar.com. For SEDAR filings prior to July 10, 2007 you will
find these under the company profile for Global Summit Real Estate Inc. (Old
Lorus).
Enquiries:
For
further information, please contact:
Lorus
Therapeutics Inc.
Dr.
Saeid Babaei, 416-798-1200 ext. 490; ir@lorusthera.com