New Preclinical Data Demonstrate Optimized Treatment Schedules of Genasense(TM) and Taxotere(R) in Prostate Cancer
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Apr 7, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Genta
Incorporated (Nasdaq: GNTA) today announced preclinical data that further
demonstrated the antitumor effects of the Company's lead anticancer compound,
GenasenseTM (oblimersen sodium), in prostate cancer. These data, along with key
information regarding optimization of the treatment schedules for combining
Genasense with chemotherapy, were reported by Dr. Anthony Tolcher and colleagues
from the Institute for Drug Development, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, in
San Antonio, TX. The results were published in the April 2003 issue of the
Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR).
Genasense knocks out production of a protein called Bcl-2 - a factor that is
widely believed to contribute to the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy.
Genasense is being tested in a number of Phase 3 clinical trials to determine
whether it can amplify the effectiveness of current cancer treatment. Previous
data from Dr. Tolcher's laboratory have shown that Genasense strongly synergized
with docetaxel (Taxotere(R); Aventis) in models of hormone-refractory prostate
cancer (HRPC). These and other data have comprised the basis for Genta's Phase 1
and Phase 2 clinical trials of Genasense plus docetaxel in patients with HRPC.
In the current study, various sequences of Genasense/docetaxel treatment were
evaluated to determine optimal dosing and maximal effectiveness. Results showed
that all schedules that contained Genasense were superior to the use of
docetaxel alone. However, schedules that incorporated Genasense administered in
advance of docetaxel were clearly superior to those that delayed Genasense until
after chemotherapy had been given. These results further validate the schedule
selected for the ongoing Phase 2 study in HRPC. Preliminary results from that
clinical trial will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society
of Clinical Oncology in June.
"Hormone-refractory prostate cancer is a major focus of the Genta/Aventis
collaboration with Genasense," noted Dr. Raymond P. Warrell, Jr., Genta's Chief
Executive Officer. "Dr. Tolcher is a key leader in this field, and his ongoing
work continues to provide strong support for the utility and schedule of our
combination programs with docetaxel."
A copy of this abstract can be viewed at:
aacr03.agora.com
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men, with an
estimated 31,900 deaths reported in 2000. Approximately 180,000 new cases of
prostate cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
About Genta
Genta Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company with a diversified product
portfolio that is focused on anticancer therapy. The Company's research platform
is anchored by oligonucleotide chemistry, particularly applications of antisense
and decoy aptamer technology. Genasense(TM) (oblimersen sodium), the Company's
lead compound, is being developed in collaboration with Aventis and is currently
undergoing late-stage, Phase 3 clinical testing in several clinical indications.
Genta's pipeline also comprises a portfolio of small molecules, including
gallium-containing compounds and Androgenics compounds for prostate cancer. For
more information about Genta, please visit our website at: www.genta.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to business
conducted by Genta Incorporated. By their nature, forward-looking statements and
forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and
depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of
factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially.
For a discussion of those risks and uncertainties, please see the Company's
Annual Report/Form 10-K for 2002.
SOURCE Genta Incorporated
CONTACT: Tara Spiess, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate
Communications, +1-908-286-3980 |
