Studies Published in Cancer Research
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL - News) today announced that Cancer
Research, the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR),
published findings from studies done at Rigel that identified and
characterized a role for the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in angiogenesis and
tumor growth. Scientists at Rigel found that Axl signaling controls diverse
processes in endothelial cells, including growth, survival, migration, and
morphologic differentiation -- mechanisms that are central to tumor growth and
formation.
"We think that using a small molecule inhibitor to disrupt Axl signaling
may independently target angiogenesis and tumor growth, providing a highly
effective method to treat solid human tumors," said Donald G. Payan, M.D.,
executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Rigel. "While
anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies have
displayed anti-angiogenic activity, they are not sufficient to block tumor
growth in a majority of patients. Axl inhibition could potentially achieve
both aims of targeted cancer therapy."
As part of an effort to develop novel therapeutic strategies for cancer
treatment, Rigel researchers developed a unique genetic screening protocol to
discover genes that regulate cell migration in primary human endothelial
cells. Their findings indicate that Axl regulates processes vital for both
neovascularization and tumorigenesis. In vitro testing showed that Axl is a
key regulator of multiple angiogenic behaviors including endothelial cell
migration, proliferation and tube formation. In an animal model of human
angiogenesis, Axl expression is important for the formation of functional
blood vessels. Furthermore, researchers observed that Axl was required for the
human breast carcinoma cells to form a tumor in vivo.
Treatment Gap in Angiogenesis Inhibition
Angiogenesis, or the growth of new blood vessels, is a strictly regulated
process in healthy adults. However, with diseases such as cancer, diseased
cells produce abnormal amounts of angiogenic growth factors and can cause
aberrant angiogenesis. In the case of cancer, new blood vessels feed tumor
growth and facilitate metastasis. Targeted inhibition of angiogenesis using
the VEGF antibody Avastin(R) (bevacizumab) has shown efficacy in treating
cancer. Still, tumors frequently progressed while patients were receiving
therapy, indicating that inhibition of VEGF signaling alone may not be
sufficient to block the growth of new blood vessels. Blocking processes
complementary to those driven by VEGF may therefore be important in fully
inhibiting angiogenesis in human disease.
About Rigel
Rigel is a late-stage drug development company that discovers and develops
novel, small-molecule drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, cancer
and viral diseases. Our goal is to move one new product candidate for a
significant indication into the clinic each year. We have achieved this goal
since 2002. Our pioneering research focuses on intracellular signaling
pathways and related targets that are critical to disease mechanisms. Rigel's
productivity has resulted in strategic collaborations with large
pharmaceutical partners to develop and market our product candidates. We have
three product development programs in allergy/asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and
cancer.
NOTE: Avastin(R) is a registered trademark of Genentech.
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including
statements related to Rigel's plans to pursue clinical development of product
candidates and the timing thereof and the potential efficacy of product
candidates. Any statements contained in this press release that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements.
Words such as "plans," "intends," "expects" and similar expressions are
intended to identify these forward-looking statements. There are a number of
important factors that could cause Rigel's results to differ materially from
those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including risks
associated with the timing and success of pre-clinical studies and clinical
trials, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Rigel's SEC
reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2005. Rigel does not undertake any obligation to update
forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Raul Rodriguez of Rigel, +1-650-624-1302, or invrel@rigel.com;
or media, Carolyn Bumgardner Wang of WeissComm Partners, Inc.,
+1-415-946-1065, or carolyn@weisscommpartners.com, for Rigel.
SOURCE Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
-0- 10/18/2005
/CONTACT: Raul Rodriguez of Rigel, +1-650-624-1302, or invrel@rigel.com;
or media, Carolyn Bumgardner Wang of WeissComm Partners, Inc.,
+1-415-946-1065, or carolyn@weisscommpartners.com, for Rigel/
/Photo: NewsCom: newscom.com
AP Archive: photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com/
/Web site: rigel.com
(RIGL)
CO: Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
ST: California
IN: HEA MTC BIO
SU: SVY TRI
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