Novel Small Molecule Drug Candidate Identified as Treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma
Monday April 7, 8:53 am ET
CURIS Compound, CUR-61414, Selectively Kills Tumor Cells in Models of Skin Cancer
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2003--CURIS, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRIS - News) - The current online issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that CURIS scientists have identified a novel small molecule drug candidate, CUR-61414, for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a skin cancer and the most common form of all human cancers with approximately one million new cases every year in the United States. The report further states that CUR-61414 prevents the proliferation and selectively induces the death of the tumor cells, while not harming adjacent normal skin cells in two different models of BCC.
Several years ago, it was discovered that almost all forms of BCC result from mutations in a signaling pathway controlled by a protein called Hedgehog (Hh). These mutations cause the unregulated activation of the Hh signaling pathway directly resulting in the development of BCC.
"It was our understanding of the Hh pathway that enabled CURIS to develop several classes of Hh pathway inhibitors, including CUR-61414," stated Dr. Lee Rubin, CURIS' Chief Scientific Officer. "Moreover, there is now evidence that the Hh pathway is also involved in other cancers, including medulloblastoma and small cell lung cancer. Our Hh inhibitors may have therapeutic applications for those cancers as well. In addition, the specific targeting nature of the Hh pathway inhibitors may result in fewer side effects than more traditional cancer therapies, which indiscriminately kill both tumor cells and normal cells"
"CURIS is very proud of the accomplishment of its scientists in discovering and developing these small molecule Hh inhibitors," said Daniel Passeri, CURIS' President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are very optimistic about the prospect of using CUR-61414 for the treatment of BCC specifically, and we are equally excited about the prospect of using Hh inhibition as a novel targeted means of treating other forms of cancer."
About CURIS, Inc.
CURIS, Inc. is a therapeutic drug development company. The Company's technology focus is on regulatory pathways that control repair and regeneration. CURIS' product development involves the use of proteins or small molecules to modulate these pathways. CURIS has successfully used this technology and product development approach to produce several promising drug product candidates in the fields of kidney disease, neurological disorders, cancer, and alopecia (hair loss). For more information, please visit the CURIS web site at www.curis.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning Curis' or management's intentions, plans, expectations or predictions of future events are forward-looking statements. Such statements may contain the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates" or similar expressions. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Actual results can be affected by, among other things, uncertainties relating to product development, clinical trials, regulatory actions or delays, the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection, changes in or an inability to execute Curis' realigned business strategy and other risk factors identified in Curis' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Curis disclaims any intention or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.
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Contact:
For Curis, Inc.
Christopher U. Missling, Ph.D., 617/503-6587
Marc F. Charette, Ph.D., 617/503-6629
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Source: CURIS, Inc. |
