LONDON and PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 15, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- A presentation today at the AACR-NCI-EORTC meeting in Philadelphia offers new insights into the mechanism of action of Antisoma's phase II cancer drug AS1404. Researchers at the Division of Basic Medical Sciences at St George's, University of London have shown that the drug increases levels of various cytokines, biological mediators with profound effects on tumours and the body's response to cancer. These include tumour necrosis factor (TNF), a cytokine already implicated in the drug's action, as well as other mediators not previously associated with AS1404. Examples are RANTES, MCP-1 and GM-CSF, which stimulate the migration of immune cells called monocytes into tumours, and IL-1ss, which like TNF causes 'haemorrhagic necrosis.' This effect -- the death of tumour cells associated with destruction of their blood supply -- is one of the hallmarks of vascular disrupting agents, the class of drugs to which AS1404 belongs.
AS1404 recently became the first vascular disrupting agent to report data from a randomised controlled trial. Preliminary findings from a phase II trial in non-small cell lung cancer show that patients receiving AS1404 in addition to standard chemotherapy have a higher frequency of tumour responses than patients receiving chemotherapy alone, while side effects are consistent in the two groups.
Speaking before today's presentation, principal researcher and presenter, Lesley McPhail, said: "AS1404 clearly has significant effects on a range of biological mediators, and this is consistent with the profound effects seen on tumours in studies to date."
Antisoma's Chief Executive Officer, Glyn Edwards, said: "We are at a very exciting time with AS1404, as moves towards a complete understanding of the drug's anti-cancer effects go hand in hand with the emergence of key efficacy data from clinical trials in a variety of cancers."
Disclaimer
Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in this statement are forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties may be associated with product discovery and development, including statements regarding the company's clinical development programmes, the expected timing of clinical trials and regulatory filings. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially.
Background on AS1404
AS1404 (chemical name DMXAA) is a small-molecule derived from xanthenone acetic acid. A member of the class of drugs known as 'vascular disrupting agents', it is the only representative of its subclass in clinical trials and is the first of these drugs to report efficacy data from a controlled study (for full details see announcement of 17 October 2005). AS1404 was discovered by Professors Bruce Baguley and William Denny and their teams at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand. It was in-licensed by Antisoma from Cancer Research Ventures Limited (now Cancer Research Technologies) in August 2001.
Background on Antisoma
Based in London, U.K., Antisoma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel products for the treatment of cancer. Antisoma fills its development pipeline by acquiring promising new product candidates from internationally recognised academic or cancer research institutions. Its core activity is the preclinical and clinical development of these drug candidates. In 2002, Antisoma formed a broad strategic alliance with Roche to develop and commercialise products from Antisoma's pipeline. AS1404 is included within the Roche alliance. Please visit www.antisoma.com for further information about Antisoma.
Background on the AACR-NCI-EORTC conference
The AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics: Discovery, Biology, and Clinical Applications, is a joint conference held by the American Association for Cancer Research, U.S. National Cancer Institute and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.