DRESDEN, GERMANY--(Marketwire - March 31, 2009) - RESprotect GmbH announced that its anti-cancer drug RP101 is the first small molecule known to bind to heat shock protein Hsp27 and modulate its effect. High levels of Hsp27 have been detected in leukemias, osteosarcomas, malignant melanomas and cancers of pancreatic, breast, ovarian, colon, liver, kidney, gastric, lung, endometrial and prostate origin. Especially high levels are observed in metastatic tissues. Hsp27 has significance in the following tumor cell functions:
* Resistance to treatment with cytotoxic drugs
* Development of metastases
* Prevention of apoptosis
Reports describing the importance of Hsp27 in pathologies are increasing exponentially. The need for drugs modulating the activity of this target is rising fast. The fact that the tri-dimensional structures of human Hsp27 is still not known is challenging.
“RP101 is the first small molecule to modulate hsp27. Impressive effects of RP101 co-treatment from our two previous studies in patients with pancreatic cancer are now better understood. RP101 appears to enhance both the sensitivity of responders and non-responders to chemotherapy” said Prof. Rudolf Fahrig, CEO and RESprotect-founder.
In 2007 RESprotect granted the exclusive rights in the USA and Canada to develop and commercialize RP101 to SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (USA), performing clinical studies with RP101. The results are freely available to RESprotect.
Enrollment in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 2 clinical trial for RP101 in advanced pancreatic cancer patients has now been completed.
This study with 153 patients is conducted at 50 study sites throughout the USA, Europe, and South America. Patients assigned to the treatment arm are receiving RP101 plus gemcitabine, while patients in the control arm receive gemcitabine alone. Primary endpoint for the trial is overall survival.
About RP101
RP101 is a nucleoside analogue which has been evaluated in pre-clinical and clinical studies for its potential to prevent induction of chemo-resistance and enhance chemo-sensitivity. RP101 co-treatment rapidly induces cell death (apoptosis) and suppresses the expression of genes associated with drug resistance. RP101 has shown biological activity in broad studies for various cancer indications suggesting broad activity.
In two separate, unrelated small clinical trials RP101 was used in combination with gemcitabine or gemcitabine + cisplatin to treat patients with late-stage pancreatic cancer. The results published demonstrated that RP101 co-treatment approximately doubled median survival. In patients with stage IV disease and far metastases who received co-treatment, the one year survival rate was 67% (40%) compared to 13% (7%) for patients treated with chemotherapy alone. RP101 is very well tolerated, with no known side effects.
About RESprotect GmbH
RESprotect GmbH is a privately owned Biotech-Company located in Dresden/Germany. RESprotect is focusing on unique approaches that inhibit both chemoresistance and the enhancement of chemosensitivity in combination.
RESprotect is looking for partners to develop RP101 in Europe, South America and Asia and its follow-on compounds worldwide.
Corporate Contact: Prof. Dr. Rudolf Fahrig RESprotect GmbH Fiedlerstr. 34 01307 Dresden Germany Phone: +49 (351) 450 3200 Fax: +49 (351) 450 3210 Email: RP101@resprotect.com Web: http://www.resprotect.com; http://www.rp101.com
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