IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of pre-clinical data with SPI-205 at the 18th EORTC-NCI-AACR symposium on “Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics” in Prague, Czech Republic. The study was designed to determine if SPI-205 could improve dysfunctions associated with cisplatin-induced neuropathy.
A poster entitled “Leteprinim attenuates cisplatin-induced neuropathy” (poster # 221) demonstrated in in vivo studies evaluating the effect of SPI-205 on cisplatin induced neuropathy in rat models, that treatment with SPI-205 markedly attenuates cisplatin-induced nerve dysfunction and accelerates the recovery from this disorder. In addition, treatment with SPI-205 seemed to completely prevent axonal swelling caused by cisplatin.
“We are encouraged by the efficacy of SPI-205 demonstrated in these animal models and are continuing the development of this compound,” stated Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. “SPI-205 is just one of a number of our pre-clinical compounds and demonstrates the true depth of our pipeline.”
Neuropathy is a dose limiting toxicity of the most common anti-cancer drugs, and there are no effective treatments currently available to patients. This toxic effect may limit both the individual doses of the anti-cancer drugs, and the duration of treatment that can be safely given, having a negative impact on patients’ quality of life. It is believed that a drug effective in preventing peripheral neuropathy might allow higher doses or more prolonged anti-cancer treatment to be given, resulting in a possible improved effect of current chemotherapies.
About SPI-205 (Leteprinim)
SPI-205 appears to regulate the genetic expression of several neurotrophic factors in various areas of the brain and spinal cord. In each area, the factors it induces are those naturally needed by the nerve cells in that region. Neurotrophic factors are essential for the growth, maturation and survival of nerve cells. When present in appropriate concentrations, these factors also protect nerve cells against damage in stroke, trauma, and many neurodegenerative disorders.
About Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body. A number of types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms, pattern of development, and prognosis. Impaired function and symptoms depend on the type of nerves -- motor, sensory, or autonomic that are damaged. Peripheral neuropathy may be either inherited or acquired. Acquired neuropathy can be induced by either disease or by chemotherapeutic agents. Most of the commonly used chemotherapeutic agents cause neuropathy and, therefore, it is a dose limiting toxicity. Currently, there are no effective treatment options that are available to the patients.
About Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is opportunistically acquiring and advancing a diversified portfolio of drug candidates that meet critical health challenges for which there are few other treatment options. Spectrum’s expertise lies in identifying undervalued drugs with demonstrated safety and efficacy, and adding value through further clinical development and selection of the most viable and low-risk methods of commercialization. The company’s pipeline includes promising early and late-stage drug candidates with unique formulations and mechanisms of action that address the needs of seriously ill patients, such as at-home chemotherapy and new treatment regimens for refractory disease. For more information, please visit www.spectrumpharm.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements include but are not limited to statements that relate to our business and its future, Spectrum’s ability to identify, acquire and develop its portfolio of drug candidates, the Company’s promising pipeline, SPI-205’s ability to reduce cisplatin induced neuropathy in animal models and any statements that relate to the intent, belief, plans or expectations of Spectrum or its management, or that are not a statement of historical fact. Risks that could cause actual results to differ include the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates may not prove safe or effective, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates may not receive approval from the FDA, and other regulatory agencies in a timely manner or at all, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, if approved, may not be more effective, safer or more cost efficient than competing drugs, the possibility that past results may not be indicative of future results, the possibility that price and other competitive pressures may make the marketing and sale of our generic drugs not commercially feasible, the possibility that our efforts to acquire or in-license and develop additional drug candidates may fail, our lack of significant revenues, our limited human and financial resources, our limited experience in establishing strategic alliances, our limited marketing experience, our limited experience with the generic drug industry, our dependence on third parties for clinical trials, manufacturing, distribution and quality control and other risks that are described in further detail in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not plan to update any such forward-looking statements and expressly disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this press release except as required by law.
Contacts: Susan Neath Media Porter Novelli Life Sciences 619-849-6007 Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D. Chairman, President & CEO Spectrum Pharmaceuticals 949-743-9295 Russell Skibsted SVP & Chief Business Officer Spectrum Pharmaceuticals 949-743-9234
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Media, Susan Neath of Porter Novelli Life Sciences,+1-619-849-6007, for Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; or Rajesh C.Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman, President & CEO, +1-949-743-9295, or RussellSkibsted, SVP & Chief Business Officer, +1-949-743-9234, both of SpectrumPharmaceuticals
Web site: http://www.spectrumpharm.com/
