MARKHAM, ON, May 10 /PRNewswire/ - Cytochroma Inc. today announced that CTA002, a novel vitamin D analog and inhibitor of the CYP24 enzyme, in combination with a standard cytotoxic agent, demonstrated potent anti-cancer activity in a xenograft prostate model. Using the LNCaP prostate model, Cytochroma was able to demonstrate a significant effect on tumor suppression with CTA002 in combination with paclitaxel. After one month, this combination resulted in tumor growth suppression of 99% by the end of the treatment period compared to 82% using paclitaxel alone.
More significant was the lasting tumor-suppressing effects that were evident 28 days after the treatment ended. Tumor growth suppression using the combination of CTA002 and paclitaxel was maintained at 89% compared to only 45% using paclitaxel alone. Equally encouraging was the observation that body weight continued to increase in the combination treatment arm and the drug regimen was well-tolerated with none of the animals demonstrating any clinically observed toxic side effects.
"We are pleased with the consistent tumor suppressive effects that we observe with CTA002 in several models in which this compound has been tested. With this latest LNCaP model, CTA002 seems to exert a potent and lasting inhibitory effect on tumor growth as a single agent and also significantly enhances the tumor suppressive effects of paclitaxel," said Martin Petkovich, Ph.D., Cytochroma's CSO. "We believe that several compounds we have developed, including CTA002, will be effective treatments capable of enhancing other standard chemotherapies. We have several xenograft studies currently underway to prove this hypothesis."
About CTA002
CTA002, also known as QW1624F2-2, is a novel vitamin D analog with a dual mechanism of action. It is a strong activator of the vitamin D signaling pathway and also a potent inhibitor of CYP24 activity (the enzyme responsible for the catabolism of vitamin D; CYP24 is also a candidate oncogene). Cytochroma has shown, in both in vitro and in vivo cancer models, that CTA002 is synergistic with standard chemotherapeutics as well as, by itself, possessing anti-tumorigenic effects without causing toxicity. In vivo studies have shown that CTA002 is approximately 100-fold less calcemic than calcitriol when given orally. CTA002 was specifically designed by Prof. Gary H. Posner and is protected under patents and patent applications exclusively licensed to Cytochroma Inc. from the Johns Hopkins University.
About Cytochroma Inc.
Cytochroma Inc. is a specialty drug development company targeting hyperproliferative disorders, autoimmune diseases and chronic kidney disease. The company is currently focused on developing and commercializing innovative vitamin D analogs and is in or about to enter clinical trials in psoriasis, secondary hyperparathyroidism, autoimmune disorders and cancer. For more information, please visit www.cytochroma.com.
Cytochroma Inc.CONTACT: Sheldon Kawarsky, Ph.D., Director, Business Development,Cytochroma Inc., 330 Cochrane Drive, Markham, Ontario, L3R 8E4, CANADA,Phone: (905) 479-5306 ext. 337, Fax: (905) 479-1287,sheldon.kawarsky@cytochroma.com
