Synta Announces Publication of Results Showing Ganetespib Synergizes with Taxanes in Multiple Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Models
-Ganetespib and docetaxel display complementary cell cycle
inhibition effects-
-Combination of ganetespib with microtubule stabilizers (docetaxel
and paclitaxel) or destabilizers (vincristine) results in
synergistic anticancer activity-
-Ganetespib and
docetaxel combination currently being studied in a Phase 2b/3
clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer-
Lexington, MA – January 16, 2012 – Synta
Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SNTA) – Ganetespib
<http://www.syntapharma.com/PrdHsp90.aspx> ,
a non-ansamycin inhibitor of Hsp90, enhances the activity of the
microtubule targeting docetaxel, paclitaxel, and vincristine in
multiple non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) xenograft models
according to an article published in the journal Investigational
New Drugs <http://www.springerlink.com/content/176g3v2027876640/fulltext.pdf>.
Ganetespib is currently being studied in combination with
docetaxel in a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial (GALAXY) in non-small cell
lung cancer.
“The results published today, the favorable
safety profile from our Phase 1 ganetespib+docetaxel combination
study, and the single agent activity seen in the Phase 2 NSCLC
study are supportive of the GALAXY trial, which evaluates the
combination of ganetespib with docetaxel,” said Vojo Vukovic,
M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Synta.
“Today’s preclinical results complement a sizable
scientific literature suggesting multiple points of synergy between
microtubule targeting agents and Hsp90 inhibition.”
Results
In preclinical studies, both ganetespib and docetaxel displayed
potent single agent anticancer activity in NSCLC cell lines (IC50
<10 nm) in part due to their distinct effects on cell division.
combining ganetespib with either microtubule stabilizers
(docetaxel, paclitaxel) or a destabilizer (vincristine)
in vitro resulted synergistic increase nsclc death
compared monotherapy. importantly, these results translated to
in vivo studies where the concurrent exposure to ganetespib
and docetaxel was significantly more efficacious than either agent
alone in 5 of 6 NSCLC xenograft models.
About Ganetespib
Ganetespib is the most advanced of the next-generation, synthetic
Hsp90 inhibitors with over 450 patients treated to date and 20
trials recently completed, currently initiating, or actively
enrolling, including the global Phase 2b/3 GALAXY Trial in
second-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Ganetespib has shown anti-tumor activity in heavily pretreated
patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, and other tumor types and
has been well tolerated with no evidence of severe liver or common
ocular toxicities seen with other Hsp90 inhibitors. The most
common adverse event seen to date has been diarrhea, which has been
manageable with standard supportive care.
Interim results from the 240-patient Phase 2b portion of the GALAXY
Trial are expected in the first half of 2012, and final data in the
second half of the year. Interim results from trials in ALK+
NSCLC, HER2+ breast cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer are
also expected in the second half of 2012.
Information on clinical trials with ganetespib can be found at
www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Hsp90
Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone required for the proper folding and
activation of many cancer-promoting proteins, and is recognized as
a key facilitator of cancer cell growth and survival. Many of
the “client proteins” of Hsp90 – such as ALK,
AKT, BCR-ABL, BRAF, KIT, MET, EGFR, FLT3, HER2, PDGFRA, VEGFR are
the targets of clinically validated cancer drugs. In preclinical
studies, inhibiting Hsp90 causes the degradation of multiple client
proteins and leads to cancer cell death.
About Synta Pharmaceuticals
Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company focused
on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule
drugs to extend and enhance the lives of patients with severe
medical conditions, including cancer and chronic inflammatory
diseases. Synta has a unique chemical compound library, an
integrated discovery engine, and a diverse pipeline of clinical-
and preclinical-stage drug candidates with distinct mechanisms of
action and novel chemical structures. All Synta drug
candidates were invented by Synta scientists using our compound
library and discovery capabilities. For more information,
please visit www.syntapharma.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This media release may contain forward-looking statements about
Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. Such forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
"will", "would", "should", "expects", "anticipates", "intends",
"plans", "believes", "may", "estimates", "predicts", "projects", or
similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Such statements, including statements relating to
the timing, developments and progress of our ganetespib clinical
and preclinical programs, reflect our current views with respect to
future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements,
including those described in "Risk Factors" of our Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Synta undertakes no obligation to
publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
law.
###
Contacts:
Synta
Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Rob
Kloppenburg
(781)
541-7125
Posted: January 2012
