Metastatix Commences Phase 1 Clinical Trial Of MSX-122 In Cancer Patients

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 06 Dec 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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Metastatix, Inc., an emerging pharmaceutical company focused on the development of small molecule therapeutics, today announced the commencement of a Phase 1 study with its drug candidate, MSX-122, in patients with late-stage solid tumors. The study is being conducted at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

"MSX-122 is a unique molecule targeting the CXCR4 receptor, as it has demonstrated both good oral availability as well as a favorable pharmacodynamic profile in pre-clinical animal studies," said Jennifer J. Wheler, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, who is serving as the Principal Investigator for the study at M.D. Anderson. "As the CXCR4 receptor has been shown to be strongly associated with multiple cancer cell types, we are eager to test this potential therapeutic in advanced or metastatic solid tumor cancer patients. This first-in-man study is designed to assess the overall safety of MSX-122 and to determine an optimal dose for subsequent trials."

"We are both pleased and honored to conduct our company's first clinical trial at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, a world-renowned cancer research institution," said Carol G. Gallagher, Pharm.D., President and CEO of Metastatix. "The dosing of the first patient in this clinical trial represents an important first step in the clinical evaluation of MSX-122, the lead molecule in our CXCR4 program."

Cancer remains a significant unmet medical need. According to the American Cancer Society, the number of new cancer cases is projected at 1.4 million for 2007, and approximately one out of every two men, and one out of every three women, will develop cancer during their lifetime. Cancer accounts for nearly one-quarter of deaths in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease.

Using technology exclusively licensed from Emory University, combined with world-class expertise in medicinal chemistry, Metastatix is developing a robust portfolio of chemical compounds that block the CXCR4 receptor. In numerous studies, the company's compounds have shown efficacy in validated pre-clinical models of cancer, inflammation and T-tropic HIV infection. This groundbreaking technology was initially developed by Emory chemist Dr. Dennis Liotta, one of the foremost experts in small-molecule drug design.

About MSX-122

MSX-122 is a potent inhibitor of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, which is activated by stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1). The interaction between SDF-1 and CXCR4 has been shown to promote chemotaxis and angiogenesis in multiple cancer cell types. In preclinical studies, MSX-122 has displayed a favorable pharmacodynamic and safety profile while inhibiting the function of CXCR4, thus affecting downstream cellular events.

About Metastatix

Metastatix is developing orally administered small molecule drugs that are believed to be safe and effective, and which the company anticipates will address numerous severely debilitating and life-threatening diseases such as cancer, inflammation and HIV. By combining big company experience with entrepreneurial innovation, the privately held, Atlanta-based, emerging pharmaceutical company has created a portfolio of chemokine receptor inhibitors covered by multiple patents.

http://www.metastatix.com