Philadelphia, PA (July 10, 2017) – Oncoceutics, Inc. announced the publication of a scientific manuscript from collaborators at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) that describes ONC201’s ability to control a set of anti-cancer signaling pathways to induce cell death in tumor, but not normal cells. The publication, from the laboratory of Madeleine Duvic, MD a Principal Investigator and Professor of Dermatology at MDACC, focuses on the mechanism and efficacy of ONC201 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma where ONC201 had not been previously investigated.
The researchers carried out a series of in vitro efficacy and mechanistic experiments with ONC201 in CTCL cell lines and patient-derived samples. Their studies documented the established mechanism of ONC201 that involves integrated stress response and inactivation of pro-survival kinases to induce anti-cancer effects in CTCL. Additionally, the researchers uncovered new aspects of the established mechanism of ONC201 that likely contribute to its anti-cancer activity in this tumor type. These new findings include inactivation of the JAK/STAT pathway and downregulation of NF?B, both playing an important role in tumor growth control and immune system modulation. The researchers posit that JAK/STAT and NF?B downregulation seen with ONC201 is a downstream consequence of the integrated stress response.
“The pathways that are controlled by ONC201 in this disease deepen our understanding of how ONC201 imparts multi-modal therapeutic effects through tumor cell death, the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment,” said Wolfgang Oster, MD, Ph.D, CEO of Oncoceutics. “These data support our understanding of ONC201’s unique mechanism of killing tumor cells downstream of its target and suggest that compound may be effective in diseases where the Jak/STAT pathway is dysregulated.”
“Dr. Duvic’s expertise in the field of CTCL is exceptional, and her careful work with ONC201 reassures us that patients suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas may greatly benefit from this new therapeutic option,” said Martin Stogniew, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer of Oncoceutics. “Having introduced drugs to this market space before with Dr. Duvic as the principal investigator, I am thrilled that to see her being a pioneer for ONC201 in CTCL.”
About Oncoceutics
Oncoceutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company with a novel class of compounds that selectively target G protein-coupled receptors for oncology. The first lead compound to result from this program is ONC201, an orally active DRD2 small molecule antagonist that is well-tolerated and effective against advanced cancers. The company recently completed a successful Phase I study in solid tumors and has begun additional Phase I/II and Phase II clinical programs in both solid and hematological malignancies. Oncoceutics and collaborative groups have received significant grants over the last two years, from institutions such as the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and The Musella Foundation. In addition, outside interest in the company’s portfolio has resulted in several R&D alliance agreements and collaborations between Oncoceutics and leading cancer research institutions, including The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the NIH/NCI, Harvard and the Fox Chase Cancer Center. The company has established a robust intellectual property position, including several issued patents.
