Introgen's INGN 241 Shows Synergy With Heat Shock Protein Inhibitors

Main Category: Lung Cancer
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 10 Jan 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Results from a new Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: INGN) study have demonstrated that its INGN 241 cancer therapy induces human lung cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death, via newly discovered mechanisms of action. The preclinical study announced today documented the synergistic action of INGN 241 and a promising new class of tumor-targeted drugs called heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors. In the study, the combination of INGN 241 and two Hsp90 inhibitors resulted in the enhancement of cell death in lung cancer cells. Introgen has studied the various ways in which INGN 241 may be used in the treatment of cancer and this combination treatment offers promise for improving efficacy using low toxicity drugs for lung cancer.

The study was performed by Dr. Abujiang Pataer, M.D., PhD, assistant professor, and Dr. Stephen Swisher, professor, both in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, in collaboration with Introgen scientists. The study is published in the current issue of Cancer Gene Therapy.

Dr. Sunil Chada, Introgen's associate vice president of Clinical Research and Development said, "The Hsp90 inhibitors are a promising new class of drugs that have recently entered clinical trials. The synergistic results found by the combination of INGN 241 and this class of tumor-targeted drugs are encouraging and warrant further investigation."

In the study, the Hsp90 inhibitors geldanamycin (GA) and 17-AAG (17-N- Allylamino-17-Demethoxygeldanamycin) were combined with INGN 241 and killing of lung tumor cells evaluated. The combination treatment proved to be highly synergistic as significant increased tumor cell killing was observed when INGN 241 was added to GA or 17-AAG treatment. Additional studies were performed to evaluate the ability of tumor cells to migrate and metastasize; the combination treatment dramatically inhibited tumor cell movement, suggesting an anti-metastatic effect.

About Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.

Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen is developing molecular therapeutics, immunotherapies, vaccines and nano-particle therapies to treat a wide range of cancers using tumor suppressors and cytokines. Introgen maintains integrated research, development, manufacturing, clinical and regulatory departments and operates multiple manufacturing facilities including a commercial scale cGMP manufacturing facility.

Introgen holds a licensing agreement with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to commercialize products based on licensed technologies, and has the option to license future technologies under sponsored research agreements. The University of Texas Board of Regents owns stock in Introgen. These arrangements are managed in accordance with M. D. Anderson's conflict of interest policies.

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, including those relating to Introgen's future success with its INGN 241 clinical development program for treatment of cancer either alone or in combination with other classes of drugs, such as hsp90 inhibitors. The actual results may differ from those described in this release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen's operations and business environment, including Introgen's stage of product development and the limited experience in the development of gene-based drugs in general, dependence upon proprietary technology and the current competitive environment, history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of Introgen's product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals, Introgen's patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Introgen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.

Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
http://www.introgen.com

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