QUEBEC CITY, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - AEterna Zentaris Inc. , a global, pure play biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today presented an abstract outlining in vivo data for its growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonist JMR-132 in breast cancer, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting being held this week at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.
Results
The poster #3568 “GHRH-Antagonist in Combination with Docetaxel Chemotherapy induces regression of MX-1 human experimental breast cancers,” reviewed preclinical results in breast cancer for JMR-132, the Company’s GHRH antagonist which binds to splice variants of the GHRH receptors found on various cancerous tumors. More specifically, the authors reported on the antitumor activity of JMR-132 in MX-1 human experimental, doxorubicin-resistant breast cancers, as well as on the anti-proliferative effect of JMR-132 in combination with docetaxel, which is frequently used for the treatment of early and metastatic breast cancer.
Binding sites were found for GHRH in the MX-1 human breast cancer cell line. The treatment of nude mice bearing MX-1 xenografts with JMR-132 at the dose of 10 (micro)g/day s.c. significantly (p<0.05) inhibited tumor growth, as shown by a 62.9% decrease in tumor volume and 47.8% reduction in tumor weight. Docetaxel at a single dose of 20 mg/kg i.p. significantly reduced tumor volume and weight by 74.1% and 58.6 %, respectively. Combination treatment with JMR-132 and docetaxel led to growth arrest of most MX-1 tumors, evidenced by an inhibition of tumor volume and weight by 97.7 %and 95.6 % respectively (p<0.001).
Conclusions - JMR-132 inhibits doxorubicin resistant in MX-1 human breast cancers - JMR-132 induces growth arrest or total regression when combined with docetaxel chemotherapy - JMR-132 could provide a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of early and metastatic breast cancer
“We are very pleased and encouraged with these results we have seen to date with JMR-132 which lend further credibility to our very promising oncology platform. By targeting patients suffering from breast cancer with confirmed GHRH receptor status, we believe we may increase our chances of success in future development programs with JMR-132 in this indication. This targeted approach is an additional example of personalized therapy which is becoming more and more the way of the future,” said Dr. Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President, Global R&D and COO of AEterna Zentaris.
About AEterna Zentaris Inc.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a global, pure play biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and commercialization.
News releases and additional information are available at www.aeternazentaris.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “expects”, “estimates”, “will,” “may”, “should”, “approximately”, and the negative or other variations of those terms or comparable terminology, are forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect management’s current views, intentions, strategies and plans and are based on certain assumptions.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the ability of AEterna Zentaris to implement its business strategies, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of AEterna Zentaris to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company’s quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
CONTACT: Jenene Thomas, Senior Director, Investor Relations & CorporateCommunications, (418) 655-6420, jenene.thomas@aeternazentaris.com; PaulBurroughs, Media Relations (418) 652-8525 ext. 406,paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com
