Protox Announces Publication in Journal of the National Cancer Institute Supporting PRX302 as Treatment for Prostatic Diseases
Additional data to be published in an upcoming issue of Anti-Cancer Drugs
VANCOUVER, March 20 /CNW/ - Protox(TM) Therapeutics Inc.
(TSX-V:PRX) today announced that two peer-reviewed publications
will feature Protox's PRX 302. The Journal of the National Cancer
Institute ("JNCI") has published the work conducted by Dr. Sam
Denmeade and his team at Johns Hopkins University in collaboration
with Protox scientists. The paper describes the Company's compound,
PRX302, which is a prostate specific antigen (PSA) activated
pro-drug being developed for the treatment of prostate cancer and
BPH.
"Having results of our PRX302 research program published in a
prestigious journal such as JNCI is a testament to the importance
of advancing PRX302 for prostate cancer and BPH," stated Dr. Fahar
Merchant, President and CEO of Protox. "The published results are
consistent with the encouraging interim data from the ongoing Phase
I prostate cancer trial reported earlier this year and supports the
planned Phase I BPH clinical trial which we expect to commence in
Q2 of 2007."
The major advantage of using PRX302 as a therapeutic agent for
prostatic diseases is that it involves direct injection into the
target tissue and selective activation by PSA produced only by the
target tissue. The paper, entitled "A prostate-specific
antigen-activated channel-forming toxin as therapy for prostatic
disease" (JNCI, Vol.99, Issue 5 pp, 376-385) found that:
PRX302 direct injection into the prostate did not cause any
attributable accumulation of PRX302 outside of the prostate gland;
is not toxic to adjacent non-PSA producing organs and tissues; and
PRX302 has a selective mechanism of action and favourable safety
profile.
A second paper entitled, "Recombinant prostate-specific antigen
proaerolysin shows selective protease sensitivity and cell
cytotoxicity" is to appear in the upcoming issue of Anti-Cancer
Drugs (ACD). The journal will publish the work conducted by Dr
Arthur Frankel and his team at the Cancer Research Institute of
Scott and White Memorial Hospital in collaboration with scientists
at Protox and Johns Hopkins University. Key findings include: human
prostate cancer cells are significantly more sensitive to PRX302 in
the presence of active PSA; PRX302 was totally resistant to
thrombin, matrix metalloprotease 7 (MMP-7), human kallikrein 1
(hk1) and human kallikrein 2 (hk2) activation; and among the normal
cells tested, the PSA-producing prostate epithelial cells were the
only normal cells that were highly sensitive to PRX302.
Both publications demonstrated that the PSA-activated strategy for
PRX302 has a number of inherent advantages as a therapeutic
strategy for locally recurrent prostate cancer and BPH.
About Protox
Protox Therapeutics is a leader in advancing novel, targeted
protein toxin therapeutics for treatment of cancer and other
proliferative diseases. The company is actively developing two
distinct but complementary platforms, INxin(TM) and PORxin, and
currently has three clinical programs in
development. A Phase IIa clinical trial into the use of PRX321
(INxin) for the treatment of primary brain cancer has been
completed and the drug has received Fast Track Designation and
Orphan Drug Status from the US FDA. In addition, a Phase I trial
has been completed for PRX321 to treat patients with renal cell
carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Patient enrolment is
underway for a Phase I clinical study into the use of PRX302
(PORxin) to treat localized prostate cancer. PRX302 has also been
approved by Health Canada to commence a Phase I clinical study for
the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS RELEASE. THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Certain statements included in this press release may be considered forward-looking. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on Protox' current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Protox and relate to, among other things, anticipated financial performance, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, market acceptance and future commitments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by Protox in its public securities filings; actual events may differ materially from current expectations. Protox disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
-30-
/For further information: James Beesley, Director, Investor
Relations,
Protox Therapeutics, (604) 688-0199, jbeesley@protoxtherapeutics.com;
Michael
Moore, Investor Relations, Equicom Group, (416) 815-0700 x
241,
mmoore@equicomgroup.com/
Posted: March 2007
