Independent Researchers Find Genprex’s TUSC2 Prevents Tumor Growth in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
September 11 2019 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
A direct target of miR-138, TUSC2 mimics
miR-138 knockdown
Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy
company, announced that independent researchers reported in a
recent study that TUSC2, a tumor suppressor gene and the active
agent in Genprex’s Oncoprex™ immunogene therapy, prevented tumor
growth in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is currently
considered an incurable cancer with limited therapeutic options.
Genprex has no affiliation with these researchers.
The study, published in Nature, first found MicroRNA-138 as a
diagnostic biomarker for TNBC, which currently lacks targeted
therapies due to its inability to express the estrogen and
progesterone hormone receptors and the human epidermal growth
factor receptor 2 (HER2), thus the name for triple-negative breast
cancer. Depletion of miR-138 was found to lead to apoptotic cell
death in vitro and prevented tumorigenesis in vivo. TUSC2 was found
to be a direct target of miR-138, and TUSC2 mimics the effects of
miR-138 knockdown, preventing tumor growth. The researchers deduced
that TUSC2 is a downstream tumor suppressor that is directly
repressed by miR-138.
The study reports that triple-negative breast cancer is an
extremely aggressive subtype of breast cancer which is associated
with poor prognosis and high mortality rates. The lack of targeted
treatment for triple-negative breast cancer makes it an
increasingly feared diagnosis.
Genprex is conducting clinical and pre-clinical research to
evaluate the effectiveness of TUSC2 when combined with targeted
therapies and immunotherapies for non-small cell lung cancer.
Existing pre-clinical data also suggest that TUSC2 may be effective
against glioblastoma, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, and soft
tissue sarcomas. Now, this new independent study raises the
possibility that TUSC2 expression, through miR-138 targeting, may
also be used to treat the most aggressive subset of breast
cancer.
“The results of the study evaluating TUSC2 for the treatment of
triple-negative breast cancer are encouraging,” said Rodney Varner,
Genprex’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that
the data reported in this Nature article by independent researchers
supports our belief that TUSC2 may be effective to treat a variety
of cancers, including some of the most deadly types of cancer.”
About Genprex, Inc.
Genprex, Inc. is a clinical stage gene therapy company
developing potentially life-changing technologies for cancer
patients, based upon a unique proprietary technology platform,
including Genprex’s initial product candidate, Oncoprex™ immunogene
therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genprex’s platform
technologies are designed to administer cancer fighting genes by
encapsulating them into nanoscale hollow spheres called
nanovesicles, which are then administered intravenously and taken
up by tumor cells where they express proteins that are missing or
found in low quantities. Oncoprex has a multimodal mechanism of
action whereby it interrupts cell signaling pathways that cause
replication and proliferation of cancer cells, re-establishes
pathways for apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells,
and modulates the immune response against cancer cells. Oncoprex
has also been shown to block mechanisms that create drug
resistance. For more information, please visit the company’s web
site at www.genprex.com or follow Genprex on Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters
that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding
the effect of TUSC2 on cancer, our current and planned clinical
trials, and the commercialization of our product candidates. Risks
that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking
statements include the presence and level of TUSC2’s effect on
cancer, the timing and success of our clinical trials and planned
clinical trials of TUSC2 and Oncoprex™ and our other potential
product candidates and the timing and success of obtaining FDA
approval of Oncoprex™ and our other potential product candidates.
These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully
under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our filings and
reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
All forward-looking statements contained in this press release
speak only as of the date on which they were made. We undertake no
obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur
or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were
made.
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Genprex, Inc. (877) 774-GNPX (4679)
Investor Relations GNPX Investor Relations (877) 774-GNPX
(4679) ext. #2 investors@genprex.com
Media Contact Genprex Media Relations Kalyn Dabbs (877)
774-GNPX (4679) ext. #3 media@genprex.com
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