BOTHELL, Wash., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northwest Biotherapeutics today announced that the company will be presenting preclinical data on a monoclonal antibody to CXCR4 at the Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 2nd Annual Targeted Cancer Therapies Conference, August 21st-22nd at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts. CXCR4 is one of the most important cancer targets discovered in recent years, because it plays a central role in all three stages of cancer progression, and because it does so in over 75% of all cancers. Company President Alton Boynton, Ph.D., will give an oral presentation during the New Targets session at the CHI conference on Monday, August 21st at 4:30 PM EDT. Dr. Boynton will be available to discuss the findings and the planned development of CXCR4 as a highly promising new cancer therapy target.
CXCR4 is over-expressed in greater than 75% of cancers, including breast, ovarian, lung, colon, prostate, kidney, melanoma, brain, esophageal, and pancreatic -- as well as numerous forms of leukemia, and childhood cancers such as acute lymphocytic leukemia and neuroblastoma. Northwest Biotherapeutics previously completed and reported on several preclinical studies using monoclonal antibodies to block CXCR4 receptor function, and reported significant inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, motility and invasion in multiple preclinical models both in vitro and in vivo.
It is well documented and accepted that CXCR4 plays an important role in all three fundamental aspects of cancer: (1) proliferation of the primary tumor, (2) migration of tumor cells away from the primary tumor, and (3) invasion and establishment of metastases at distant sites such as bone, lung and brain. “The fact that CXCR4 plays a role in three functional aspects of cancer is rare, and therapeutically offers significant advantages for an antibody based therapy,” stated Dr. Alton Boynton. “CXCR4 offers an exceptional therapeutic opportunity to prevent proliferation of primary tumors and to prevent the metastatic spread of the disease.”
In March 2005, Northwest Biotherapeutics announced that it was issued a United States patent covering the broad use of CXCR4 antibodies for cancer therapeutics.
About Northwest Biotherapeutics
Northwest Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapy products that treat cancers more effectively than current treatments, without toxicity, on a cost-effective basis. The Company has two broad platform technologies: dendritic cell based vaccines, and therapeutic antibodies. The Company’s three lead product candidates are: DCVax(R)- Prostate, a personalized dendritic cell vaccine for treatment of hormone independent non-metastatic prostate cancer, which is entering a Phase III clinical trial; DCVax(R)-Brain, a personalized dendritic cell vaccine for treatment of newly diagnosed Glioblastoma multiforme, which is entering a large Phase II clinical trial; and CXCR4 a therapeutic monoclonal antibody for treatment of solid tumors, that is in late preclinical development.
Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward- looking statement. Specifically, there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, such as the company’s ability to raise additional capital, Additional information on these and other factors, which could affect the company’s results, is included in its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. Finally, there may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the company’s SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially those projected in any forward-looking statement. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by securities laws.
Northwest Biotherapeutics
CONTACT: Lorie Calvo of Northwest Biotherapeutics, +1-425-608-3008
Web site: http://www.nwbio.com//
