GPC Biotech Presents Data on 1D09C3 Anticancer Monoclonal Antibody at EORTC-NCI-AACR Conference
Thursday September 30, 4:18 am ET
MARTINSRIED/MUNICH, Germany and U.S. Facilities in WALTHAM, Mass. and
PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GPC Biotech AG (Frankfurt
Stock Exchange: GPC; TecDAX 30; Nasdaq: GPCB) announced that data on its
anticancer monoclonal antibody, 1D09C3, are being presented today at the 16th
annual joint symposium on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" of the
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the U.S.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) in Geneva, Switzerland. The purpose of this conference, which
is expected to draw over 2,000 oncology experts from around the world, is to
provide a platform to present the latest findings in oncology drug research
and development, with the ultimate goal of bringing new anticancer therapies
to patients as quickly as possible.
The data reported today demonstrate that 1D09C3 selectively induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in a variety of xenotransplant lymphoid tumor models, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and hairy cell leukemia, as well as new data in Burkitt's lymphoma.
"Our 1D09C3 monoclonal antibody has made solid progress in the past year," said Marcel Rozencweig, M.D., Senior Vice President, Drug Development. "We have recently completed pre-clinical testing with the antibody and are preparing to provide the necessary information to regulatory authorities and ethics committees to begin our first-in-man studies. Assuming that we receive the authorizations in a timely manner, we expect to initiate a Phase I study in B-cell lymphomas in Europe in the near future."
About 1D09C3
1D09C3 is an anti-MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class II monoclonal antibody. This antibody binds to certain cell surface receptors, selectively killing activated, proliferating MHC class II-positive tumor cells, which include those in B-cell and T-cell lymphomas. In 2003, it was estimated that more than 150,000 people in the developed world were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) -- the most common form of lymphoma -- with approximately one third of these patients in Europe and one third in the U.S. 1D09C3 has been shown to induce programmed cell death and does not require a functioning immune system for its therapeutic effect. Since most lymphoma patients are immunocompromised as a result of prior chemotherapy or the disease itself, this is potentially a significant advantage over most antibodies targeting B-cell lymphomas. Additionally, when 1D09C3 was administered with the anticancer drug, Rituxan® (rituximab), in an in vivo NHL model, the efficacy was shown to be greater than with either antibody alone. The Company expects to enter 1D09C3 into human clinical trials in the near future. Additional information on 1D09C3 can be found in the Anticancer Programs section of the Company's Web site at gpc-biotech.com. |
