Will this board ever wake up - More NEWS:
AVI's New Generation Antisense Stops p53 Gene Action, Showing Potential as
Cancer Therapeutic
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan 19, 2000 (BW HealthWire) -- Scientists at AVI
BioPharma, Inc. ("AVI") (Nasdaq:AVII)(Nasdaq:AVIIW)(Nasdaq:AVIIZ), and
the University of Nebraska Medical Center have demonstrated that AVI's
novel antisense compounds, NEUGENES(R), effectively regulate p53 gene
action at significantly lower doses than earlier generations of
antisense compounds.
The findings of AVI researchers Patrick Iversen, Ph.D. and Vikram
Arora, Ph.D. have been reported in the cover article of the February
2000 issue of the scientific journal Drug Metabolism and Disposition,
available today.
The study compared differing types of antisense compounds, including
second-generation compounds called phosphorothioates and AVI's new
generation morpholine compounds, called NEUGENES. While both were
somewhat effective, AVI's NEUGENES inhibited the p53 gene at one-tenth
the dose. According to the researchers, in addition to significant cost
savings, smaller doses mean fewer side effects in humans.
"We compared the effects of each antisense compound on the expression
of the p53 gene in cell proliferation and demonstrated that we can stop
its action, in vivo," Dr. Iversen said. "We also used the compounds to
demonstrate this gene's influence on the drug metabolism capacity of
the liver during the course of liver regeneration."
More than half of all human cancers show mutations of the p53 gene.
Being able to stop its action could slow cancer growth. This is the
first time scientists have demonstrated this function in mammals.
Previously, activity had been demonstrated only in the test tube.
Dr. Arora commented, "Classically, the p53 gene is known as the
'guardian of the genome', and thus inhibition of p53 is lethal to the
unstable cancer cell."
By demonstrating an ability to halt the action of p53 genes, AVI's
NEUGENES give cancer researchers another weapon. The study also adds to
AVI's growing body of evidence that its antisense compounds are more
potent and less toxic than other antisense agents in clinical
development.
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of
life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms: cancer
immunotherapy and gene-targeted drugs. Its lead clinical agent,
AVICINE, a therapeutic cancer vaccine, is undergoing a Phase II trial
in pancreatic cancer, and will soon enter a Phase III pivotal trial in
colorectal cancer and a Phase II trial in prostate cancer. The first
application of its NEUGENE compounds, Resten-NG, is designed to treat
cancer, cardiovascular restenosis and other cell proliferation
disorders by inhibiting the production of a cellular transcription
factor, the oncogene c-myc. It is currently in Phase I trials for
restenosis. For more information about the Company, visit AVI's website
at avibio.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in
this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the results of research
and development efforts, the results of pre-clinical and clinical
testing, the effect of regulation by the FDA and other agencies, the
impact of competitive products, product development, commercialization
and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the
Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Copyright (C) 2000 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
Distributed via COMTEX.
-0-
CONTACT: AVI BioPharma
Denis R. Burger or Alan P. Timmins, 503/227-0554
or
Noonan/Russo Communications
Investor Relations
Judy Brenna, 212/696-4455 Ext. 221
jbrenna@noonanrusso.com
or
Young & Roehr Group
Media Contact
Ellen Berg, 503/222-0626 Ext. 504
eberg@young-roehr.com
WEB PAGE: businesswire.com
GEOGRAPHY: OREGON
INDUSTRY CODE: PHARMACEUTICAL
MEDICAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY
PRODUCT
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
*** end of story ***
|
