WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Jan. 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inspyr Therapeutics (OTCQB:NSPXD), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel prodrug therapeutic for the treatment of cancer, today announced the initiation of development programs focused on Mipsagargin combination therapies.
To evaluate the potential of Mipsagargin in combination with Nexavar®, Inspyr plans to conduct a preclinical study in liver PDX tumor models that express PSMA, the target of Mipsagargin. The tumor models selected express different levels of PSMA, including one that is resistant to Nexavar®. The Company expects to share initial results of this study in the second quarter of 2017.
Concurrently, the Company is finalizing the design of a clinical study to examine the potential benefits of Mipsagargin in combination with Nexavar® in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer.
“Combining Mipsagargin and Nexavar®, each targeting the tumor vasculature through different mechanisms of action, may be synergistic and deliver enhanced anti-tumor activity, potentially resulting in an improved therapy option for patients with liver cancer,” said Dr. Ron Shazer, Inspyr’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “We expect this non-clinical study to be the first of several planned studies examining the potential of Mipsagargin across different types of cancer as an effective combination agent addressing unmet needs for oncology patients.”
About Mipsagargin
Mipsagargin is a novel clinical stage thapsigargin-based, PSMA-activated prodrug that consists of an analog of thapsigargin coupled to a masking peptide which inhibits its activity until proteolytic cleavage at the tumor site. Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) is expressed on tumor vasculature endothelial cells in a wide variety of solid tumors. Thapsigargin inhibits the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA) pump which is essential for cell viability. Mipsagargin is being developed for the treatment of multiple cancers.
About Inspyr Therapeutics
Inspyr Therapeutics, Inc. develops therapies for cancer using a novel technology platform that combines a powerful therapeutic (thapsigargin) with a patented prodrug delivery system that targets the release of drugs within solid tumors. Mipsagargin, its lead drug candidate, has been studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with Nexavar-refractory hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this indication. Mipsagargin is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 investigator-sponsored trials in patients with glioblastoma (GBM), prostate cancer and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). For additional information on Inspyr Therapeutics, visit www.inspyrtx.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This communication may contain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that statements in this document regarding potential applications of Inspyr's technologies or the future prospects of the company constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights and the acceptance of Inspyr’s proposed therapies by the health community. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties will be detailed from time to time in Inspyr's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.