Access Pharmaceuticals Presents ProLindac(TM) Data At The AACR-NCI-EORTC Symposium 2008

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 22 Oct 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTC Bulletin Board: ACCP) announced that three posters describing significant recent results of the company's proprietary polymer DACH platinum prodrug, ProLindac, in clinical and preclinical studies are being presented this week at a major international oncology conference held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The clinical poster highlights results from the multi-center Phase 2 recurrent ovarian cancer trial in France where the level of anti-cancer activity of ProLindac in a heavily-pretreated patient population compares favorably to previously published results of single agent oxaliplatin in patients that had less pretreatment. These promising efficacy results were obtained without significant toxicity or other significant side-effects. The two preclinical posters, describing studies performed by Access collaborators at prominent Institutes in France, demonstrate the potential benefits of ProLindac over current platinum therapies: one highlights the observation that ProLindac uses albumin as a carrier, slowing blood clearance, which provides for a sustained tumor exposure to platinum. The other poster highlights that the antiproliferative effects of ProLindac are associated with an increase in expression of p21, a gene associated with cell cycle control.

"The latest results from our clinical study in advanced ovarian cancer patients continue to demonstrate that ProLindac is active in ovarian cancer with mild side-effects," stated David P. Nowotnik, Access' Senior Vice President Research and Development. "The two preclinical posters show that, mechanistically, ProLindac is similar to the approved DACH platinum compound, oxaliplatin, while benefiting from Access' proprietary polymer targeting technology. Our unique design enables targeted delivery of higher levels of DACH platinum with an improved side effect profile."

The "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" symposium is organized jointly by three leading oncology societies; the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), and attracts researchers and pharmaceuticals companies from all major territories. The poster titles are as follows:

Poster #104: Role of p21 in sensitivity to DACH-platinum compounds, oxaliplatin and ProLindacTM, in human cancer cells.

Poster #143: Ex vivo plasma protein binding and in vitro evaluations of AP5346, a novel platinum-bound biopolymer: Evidence showing that >72hr DACH-platinum release may play a major role in cytotoxicity.

Poster #214: AP5346 (ProLindacTM), a pH-dependent polymer-vectorized DACH platinum, is active in borderline potentially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (OC) patients: results from an ongoing Phase I/II trial.

About ProLindac(TM):

ProLindac is a novel DACH platinum prodrug which has been shown to be active in a wide variety of solid tumors in both preclinical models and in human trials. Access believes that ProLindac's unique molecular design potentially could eliminate some of the toxic side effects seen in the currently marketed DACH platinum, Eloxatin, which has sales in excess of $2 billion.

About Access:

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes propriety products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access' products include ProLindac(TM), currently in Phase 2 clinical testing of patients with ovarian cancer, and MuGard(TM) for the management of patients with mucositis. The company also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including Cobalamin(TM)-mediated targeted delivery and oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism; Angiolix(R), a humanized monoclonal antibody which acts as an anti-angiogenesis factor and is targeted to breast cancer; and Prodrax(R), a non-toxic prodrug which is activated in the hypoxic zones of solid tumors to kill cancer cells. Access is also developing Phenylbutyrate ("PB"), an HDAC inhibitor and differentiating agent currently a Phase 2 clinical candidate. For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at http://www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our ability to close the financing transaction, early results from our clinical trial, Access' plans to continue and initiate clinical trials, the value of its products in the market, its ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and its ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
http://www.accesspharma.com

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