Multiple myeloma first indication for drug candidate from Vivolux
Blood* publishes study on drug candidate for multiple myeloma that overcomes drug resistance by new mechanism of action.
Vivolux AB, a company specialized in cancer treatment, announced today that data that forms the basis for one of the company's promising projects has been published in Blood, *) Journal of the American Society of Hematology.
A research study led by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School, also involving the Karolinska Institute, has found that a novel drug candidate inhibits tumor growth and prolongs survival in multiple myeloma (MM) in preclinical models. Furthermore, the drug candidate overcomes resistance to bortezomib. This resistance limits clinical use of bortezomib.
The drug candidate acts through a new mechanism of action as a target for cancer drugs. It blocks the signaling machinery in the cancer cells that regulate break-down of defective protein, which in turn leads to apoptosis – programmed cell death.
The study shows that this drug candidate decreases viability in MM cell lines as well as patient MM cells. Synergistic anti-MM activity is induced when the new drug candidate is combined with other cancer therapies. There is a significant medical need in MM therapy, especially for patients who have become resistant to currently available cancer treatment. Vivolux andHarvardMedicalSchool, in cooperation with other institutions, are planning to commence a clinical study in 2014.
Hans Rosén, Vivolux Chief Executive, states: "The article in Blood is a mark of quality and a milestone for the researchers. There is a considerable medical need for new cancer drugs and the development that is taking place within the framework of Vivolux is very much leading edge, as shown by Harvard Medical School and other leading institutions.”
Dr. Dharminder Chauhan at Harvard Medical School states: "The published mechanism of action is extremely interesting in the creation of new cancer drugs. We feel very excited about exploring the therapeutic potential of this new drug candidate in clinical studies. Our hope is that our joint research will lead to improved cancer treatment."
Professor Stig Linder at the Karolinska Institute states: "Multiple myeloma is a serious disease and we hope to be able to develop effective treatment in collaboration with Vivolux and the group at Harvard Medical School. The finding that our drug is effective on MM cells resistant to conventional therapy holds great promise for the future."
VivoluxABwas founded in 2006, based on substances developed in-house and in collaboration with a research group inUppsalathat has developed an advanced system for preclinical analysis of cancer drugs based on tests using fresh human cancer cells. Collaboration was later established with Stig Linder's research group at the Karolinska Institute. This collaboration has resulted in access to a further unique method for evaluating the effects of cancer drugs. In contrast to the standard method, which is used by leading pharmaceutical companies, three-dimensional aggregates of human cancer cells are used as models of solid tumors. This facilitates identification and optimization of drug candidates that can reach and kill all cells deep in the tumor tissue. With the aid of these unique methods, several drug candidates have been identified and optimized.
For further information, please contact:
Hans Rosén, CEO, hans.rosen@vivolux.com, phone: +46 (0)708 583470
Stig Linder, stig.linder@ki.se, Professor of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, phone: +46 (0)704 841275
Vivolux AB, Uppsala Science Park, Oscar II, SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden, www.vivolux.com
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