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Biotech / Medical : Ligand (LGND) Breakout! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Henry Niman who wrote (22290)	6/16/1998 9:18:00 AM
From: celeryroot.com	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 32384

Ligand Reports Targretin Causes Regression of Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Tumors in a Preclinical Model SAN DIEGO, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers from Ligand (LYE-gand) Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: LGND) have reported that Targretin(R) (bexarotene), a member of a class of drugs called retinoids, caused regression of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer tumors in an established rat model of this disease. The findings were presented at the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) conference in Washington, D.C. William W. Lamph, Ph.D., Ligand Associate Director, Retinoid Research, presented, "Beyond Tamoxifen: The Retinoid X Receptor-Selective Ligand LGD1069 (Targretin) Causes Complete Regression of Mammary Carcinoma." The presentation included new data based on preclinical animal models that show the efficacy of Targretin in causing complete regression of breast cancer tumors that are resistant to the drug tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is currently the most widely prescribed breast cancer therapy. In the findings presented yesterday, all tumors studied were shown to have progressed to tamoxifen-resistance prior to randomization. Targretin, added to tamoxifen therapy, caused a complete or partial regression in 94 percent of tamoxifen-resistant primary breast tumors versus a 33 percent complete or partial regression in tamoxifen-resistant primary breast tumors that continued on high-dose tamoxifen but did not receive Targretin. These differences are statistically significant. Additional response rate analyses are being conducted on a total animal tumor burden and number of tumors per animal basis and are expected to be published in the near future. "Our previous studies have shown the efficacy of Targretin in preclinical models for breast cancer prevention, and for the treatment of well-established breast tumors. The additional data presented today suggest that Targretin may be a useful alternative to currently available therapies for the treatment of breast cancer," said Dr. Lamph. Previous research (Cancer Research, December 1996) demonstrated that Targretin is equally effective as tamoxifen at preventing the emergence of breast cancer tumors in this animal model, which was designed to test prevention. Yesterday's presentation also included data from a study reported in the February 1998 issue of Cancer Research, which showed that Targretin caused complete regression in more than two-thirds of established breast cancer tumors. The study was the first to compare the treatment potential of Targretin and tamoxifen both individually and in combination therapy. The use of tamoxifen alone resulted in complete regression in 33.3 percent of tumors, compared to Targretin's rate of complete regression in 72 percent of tumors in a rat breast cancer model. Ligand scientists have previously reported that Targretin does not alter estrogen, progesterone, or prolactin levels in this scientific model, and that Targretin can inhibit the undesirable side effects of uterine growth stimulation by estrogen and tamoxifen. Targretin is a synthetic retinoid analogue discovered by Ligand scientists which selectively activates a subclass of retinoid receptors called retinoid X receptors (RXRs) which play an important role in the control of cellular function. "The exciting new data showing the effectiveness of Targretin on tamoxifen-resistant breast tumors, combined with the activity of Targretin in treatment and prevention models, and particularly, the evidence of synergistic activity of low doses of Targretin/tamoxifen, clearly justifies the initiation of clinical trials with Targretin in breast cancer in different stages of hormonal responsiveness, including tamoxifen resistance," said Andres Negro- Vilar, M.D., Ph.D., Ligand Senior Vice President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer. Ligand plans to launch a Phase II trial with Targretin in the near future to evaluate the activity of Targretin in advanced breast cancer patients. Targretin in Clinical Trials Ligand is conducting three pivotal trials for the treatment of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, including one Phase III trial with Targretin gel (bexarotene) 1.0% and two Phase II/III trials with Targretin capsules. Phase II/III trials are being conducted with Targretin capsules in patients with advanced lung cancer, and Phase IIb studies are in progress in patients with ovarian, head and neck cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma. Targretin gel is also being tested in a Phase II trial for the treatment of patients with actinic keratoses. Since 1989, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has established a leadership position in gene transcription technology, particularly intracellular receptor (IR) technology and Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs). Ligand has applied IR and STATs technology to the discovery and development of small molecule drugs to enhance therapeutic and safety profiles and to address unmet patient needs in cancer, women's and men's health and skin diseases, as well as osteoporosis, metabolic, cardiovascular and inflammatory disease.