Poster also to be presented on highly selective Erk1/2
inhibitor compound
QUÉBEC CITY, March 28 /PRNewswire/
- Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the
"Company") today announced that two abstracts on its lead
anticancer compound, perifosine, will be presented at the upcoming
102nd annual meeting of the American Association for
Cancer Research to be held at the Orange
County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from April 2-6, 2011. Perifosine, an oral Akt
inhibitor compound, is currently in a Phase 3 program in colorectal
cancer and multiple myeloma and other earlier-stage programs.
Another abstract will also be presented on a novel targeted Erk 1/2
inhibitor anticancer compound.
Sunday, April 3,
2011 |
|
|
Abstract #640: |
"The Akt inhibitor Perifosine strongly enhances the
antitumor and antivascular activity of CD34+ cells engineered to
express membrane-bound tumor necrosis factor-related
apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)", A. Giacomini, S. L.
Locatelli, M. Righi, L. Cleris, P.D. Longoni, M. Milanesi, M.
Francolini, M. Magni, M. Di Nicola, A. M. Gianni, C.
Carlo-Stella. |
Date and time: |
Sunday, April 3, 2011, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Eastern (Exhibit Hall
A4-C) |
Poster Session
ID: |
Cellular and Molecular Biology 27 |
Poster Section: |
27 |
Poster Board: |
14 |
|
Monday, April
4, 2011 |
|
|
Abstract #1965: |
"Antitumor activity of novel Akt inhibitor, perifosine in
gastric cell lines.", Tae Soo Kim, Hyo Song Kim, Bo Ram Kwan,
Chan Hee Park Park, Hei-Cheul Jeung Jeung, Woo Ick Jang, Juergen
Engel, Hyun Cheol Chung, Jae Kyung Roh, Sun Young Rha. |
Date and time: |
Monday, April 4, 2011, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Eastern (Exhibit Hall
A4-C) |
Poster Session ID: |
Cellular and Molecular Biology 27 |
Poster Section: |
2 |
Poster Board: |
5 |
|
Tuesday, April
5, 2011 |
|
|
Abstract #3563: |
"A highly selective Erk1/2 inhibitor with in vivo antitumor
potency", I. Seipelt, E. Guenther, L. Blumenstein, G. Mueller,
P. Schmidt, B. Aicher, M. Teifel and M. Gerlach |
Presenter: |
Irene Seipelt, Ph.D., Associate Director of Discovery and
Preclinical Development at Aeterna Zentaris |
Date and time: |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Eastern (Exhibit
Hall A4-C) |
Poster Session ID: |
Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics 25 |
Poster Section: |
28 |
About Perifosine
Perifosine is a novel, oral anticancer treatment that inhibits
Akt activation in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. The
product works by interfering with membranes of cancer cells thereby
inhibiting Akt signaling which then affects cell death, growth,
differentiation and survival. Perifosine, in combination with
chemotherapeutic agents, is currently being studied for the
treatment of multiple myeloma, colorectal cancer and other cancers,
and is the most advanced anticancer compound of its class in
late-stage development. Perifosine,as monotherapy, is being
explored in other indications. The US Food & Drug
Administration ("FDA") has granted perifosine orphan-drug
designation in multiple myeloma and neuroblastoma, and Fast Track
designations in both multiple myeloma and refractory advanced
colorectal cancer. Additionally, an agreement was reached with the
FDA to conduct the Phase 3 trials in both of these indications
under a Special Protocol Assessment. Perifosine has also been
granted orphan medicinal product designation from the European
Medicines Agency ("EMA") in multiple myeloma. Furthermore,
perifosine has received positive Scientific Advice from the EMA for
both the multiple myeloma and advanced colorectal cancer programs,
with ongoing Phase 3 trials for these indications expected to be
sufficient for registration in Europe. Perifosine rights have been licensed
to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals for North
America, Yakult Honsha for Japan and to Handok for Korea.
About Erk 1/2 Inhibitor compound
Extracellular signal-regulated kinases ("Erks") act in the
Ras-Raf-Mek-Erk signaling cascade and regulate various
cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation and
survival in response to a variety of extracellular or
intrinsically mutated upstream signals. Aeterna Zentaris has
identified small molecular compounds that selectively inhibit
Erk1/2, among them, AEZS-131, which has shown to significantly
inhibit tumor growth in in vivo studies. Early
development of the Erk inhibitor AEZS-131 is an integral part of
Aeterna Zentaris' kinase research program comprising the
investigation of different compounds for single Erk inhibition,
single PI3K inhibition and dual Erk/PI3K kinase
inhibition.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a late-stage oncology drug development
company currently investigating potential treatments for various
cancers including colorectal, ovarian, endometrial cancer and
multiple myeloma. The Company's innovative approach of
"personalized medicine" means tailoring treatments to a patient's
specific condition and to unmet medical needs. Aeterna Zentaris'
deep pipeline is drawn from its proprietary discovery unit
providing the Company with constant and long-term access to
state-of-the-art therapeutic options. For more information please
visit www.aezsinc.com.
SOURCE AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.