Single-Agent Activity of Genta's Lead Anticancer Compound, Genasense(TM), Reported in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Apr 9, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Genta
Incorporated (Nasdaq: GNTA) today announced the publication of preclinical data
that demonstrated significant activity for the Company's lead anti-cancer drug,
Genasense(TM) (oblimersen sodium), in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a form of head
and neck cancer. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Jill
Lacy at Yale University and were published in the March 2003 issue of the
Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR).
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been closely linked to infection with
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is known to have cancer-causing properties. At
the AACR meeting last year, Dr. Lacy and her colleagues showed that EBV-related
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), a cancer that frequently arises after bone marrow
transplantation, was sensitive to treatment with Genasense used as a
single-agent. Genasense treatment was also shown to potentiate the anti-lymphoma
effects of Rituxan(R) (rituximab; IDEC/Genentech). In the new study, NPC cells
exposed to Genasense showed a marked decrease in intracellular levels of Bcl-2
protein, which was associated with a significant increase in cell death. In a
subsequent experiment, SCID mice that were implanted with human NPC cells and
treated with Genasense showed highly significant antitumor effects compared with
controls.
Bcl-2, the target of Genasense therapy, appears to contribute to the inherent
resistance of cancer cells to anticancer therapy. Bcl-2 is highly expressed in
NHL and NPC cells, possibly by EBV-induced up-regulation. Genasense knocks out
production of Bcl-2 and may therefore exert a direct antitumor effect in these
diseases.
Dr. Lacy commented, "These new data confirm our prior observations that
Genasense alone may be useful in treating those types of cancer in which EBV has
been implicated as a causative factor."
"Prior data from the Lacy lab have strongly supported the synergistic use of
Genasense plus Rituxan, a combination that we recently advanced into clinical
trials," noted Dr. Raymond P. Warrell Jr., Genta's Chief Executive Officer. "The
latest results represent an important extension of the prior work, which argue
for a direct antitumor action -- one that is independent of synergy with
chemotherapy or antibodies -- in both lymphoid cancers and now nasopharyngeal
carcinoma."
A copy of this abstract can be viewed at:
aacr03.agora.com
About Genasense
Genasense works by inhibiting the production of Bcl-2, a protein made by cancer
cells that is thought to block chemotherapy-induced cell death. By reducing the
amount of Bcl-2 in cancer cells, Genasense may enhance the effectiveness of
current anticancer treatments. Genasense is currently in multiple late-stage
randomized clinical trials including malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma,
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and non-small cell lung cancer.
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
Ganite(TM) (gallium nitrate injection), oral gallium-containing compounds, and
Androgenics compounds for prostate cancer. For more information about Genta,
please visit our website at: www.genta.com. |
