Lorus Therapeutics announces presentation of GTI-2040 pharmacokinetic and metabolic data in acute myeloid leukemia
25 Octubre 2006 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Presentation at the 14th Annual International Society for the
Study of Xenobiotics Conference - TORONTO, Oct. 25
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lorus Therapeutics Inc. ("Lorus") (TSX:
LOR; AMEX: LRP), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the
research and development of pharmaceutical products and
technologies for the management of cancer, announces the
presentation of GTI-2040 pharmacokinetic and metabolic data at the
14th North American International Society for the Study of
Xenobiotics (ISSX) Meeting in Puerto Rico (October 22-26, 2006).
The presentation entitled "Enzyme Kinetics of Antisense GTI-2040
Metabolism" describes investigations to determine the rate of
metabolism of GTI-2040, and provides a predictable model for the
specific enzyme kinetics seen with this drug. In addition, it
presents novel approaches for measuring levels of GTI-2040 and its
metabolites following intravenous administration of the drug in
leukemia patients. These studies on the pharmacokinetics and
metabolism of GTI-2040 were directed by Dr. Kenneth Chan, Professor
of Pharmaceutics and Internal Medicine at The Ohio State
University, Columbus, Ohio, in support of clinical findings
reported by Dr. Guido Marcucci in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
patients. The findings are part of a series of presentations
resulting from the ongoing collaboration of Lorus with Ohio State
University. Earlier this year, Dr. Chan reported the development of
a novel assay for assessing GTI-2040 drug levels, which was
published in the June (2006) issue of Pharmaceutical Research
(volume 23, issue 6: pages 1251-1264). "These types of studies
build on our already ongoing clinical studies with GTI-2040, for
which data correlating complete response with target downregulation
have been reported in the AML patient population," said Dr. Aiping
Young, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lorus. About
GTI-2040 GTI-2040 is an antisense drug that specifically targets
the R2 component of ribonucleotide reductase, which is required for
DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. R2 has also been described as
a malignant determinant that is elevated in a wide range of tumors,
and through down regulation can cooperate with a variety of
cellular cancer causing genes known as oncogenes to enhance tumor
growth and metastatic potential. About Lorus Lorus is a publicly
traded biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and
development of novel therapeutics in cancer. Lorus' goal is to
capitalize on its research, preclinical, clinical and regulatory
expertise by developing new drug candidates that can be used,
either alone, or in combination, to successfully manage cancer.
Through its own discovery efforts and an acquisition and
in-licensing program, Lorus is building a portfolio of promising
anticancer drugs. Late-stage clinical development and marketing may
be done in cooperation with strategic pharmaceutical partners.
Lorus currently has product candidates in human clinical trials
with seven Phase II clinical trial programs, as well as one Phase
II and one Phase III clinical trial recently completed. Lorus
Therapeutics Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the
symbol LOR, and on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol
LRP. Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian and U.S.
securities laws. Such statements include, but are not limited to,
statements relating to: our expectations regarding future
financings, our plans to conduct clinical trials, the successful
and timely completion of clinical studies and the regulatory
approval process, our plans to obtain partners to assist in the
further development of our product candidates, the establishment of
corporate alliances, the Company's plans, objectives, expectations
and intentions and other statements including words such as
"continue", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "will",
"should", "may", and other similar expressions. Such statements
reflect our current views with respect to future events and are
subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a
number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered
reasonable by us are inherently subject to significant business,
economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and
contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among
others: our ability to obtain the capital required for research and
operations; the regulatory approval process; the progress of our
clinical trials; our ability to find and enter into agreements with
potential partners; our ability to attract and retain key
personnel; changing market conditions; and other risks detailed
from time-to-time in our ongoing quarterly filings, annual
information forms, annual reports and annual filings with Canadian
securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialize, or should the assumptions set out in the section
entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report underlying those
forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those described herein. These forward-looking
statements are made as of the date of this press release and we do
not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these
forward-looking statements, except as required by law. We cannot
assure you that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance
on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty
therein. Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s recent press releases are
available through the Company's website at
http://www.lorusthera.com/. DATASOURCE: Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
CONTACT: Investor Relations, Lorus Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Saeid
Babaei, Phone: (416) 798-1200 ext. 490, ; Media Relations,
Mansfield Communications, Susana Hsu, Phone: (416) 599-0024,
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