Anavex 7-1037 Demonstrates Chemotherapeutic Potential Without Toxic Side Effects for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer, Other Types of Solid Tumors
ANAVEX 7-1037 has been shown to kill human HCT116 colon cancer cells in advanced pre-clinical studies.
Geneva, Switzerland, January 16, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Anavex Life Sciences Corp. ("ANAVEX") (OTCBB: AVXL) today announced that ANAVEX 7-1037 has been shown to kill human HCT116 colon cancer cells in advanced pre-clinical studies. In addition, ANAVEX 7-1037 demonstrated its ability to significantly suppress tumor growth in immune-deficient mice. ANAVEX 7-1037 is the company's lead drug candidate for the treatment of colorectal cancer and other types of solid tumors.
"These results are very encouraging, particularly regarding the therapeutic signals from the significant in vivo anti-cancer activity against HCT116 xenografts at low nanomolar level," said Dr. Kontzalis, Chief Executive Officer for ANAVEX. "We are committed to further exploring the benefits of ANAVEX 7-1073 as we aim to develop first-class therapeutics to fight various types of cancer."
A novel small synthetic sigma ligand, ANAVEX 7-1037 is a member of a new class of drugs designed to treat colorectal and other types of human cancer. Toxicological studies in mice have shown no evidence of the side effects that are usually observed with anti-cancer drugs available today. In pre-clinical lab tests, ANAVEX 7-1037 has demonstrated its ability to kill cancer cells.
Preclinical testing of ANAVEX 7-1037 also reveals that the drug candidate:
- exhibits high affinity for sigma-1 (nanomolar) and moderate
(micromolar) affinity for sigma-2 and sodium channels;
- induces initially detachment of cells as early as 6 hours after the
addition of 20 micromolars to the culture and subsequent apoptosis
that was accompanied by activation of both caspases -8 and -9 and
subsequent activation of caspase 3, as this was estimated by FACS and
western blot analysis; and
- causes growth delay when administrated i.p. to SCID mice, suggesting
a significant in vivo anticancer activity against HCT116 xenografts,
according to NCI criteria.
As such, pre-clinical studies so far suggest that ANAVEX 7-1037 may possess chemotherapeutic potential for the treatment of colorectal and other types of human cancer.
Ongoing pre-clinical studies are being conducted in collaboration with Universite Montpellier in France. These studies on immune-deficient mice are designed to assess and analyze ANAVEX 7-1037's ability to slow down and prevent tumor growth, stop cancer cells from spreading, enable the growth of new blood vessels and increase the number of cells through cell growth and division.
Published results were presented at the 15th Euroconference on Apoptosis (Portoroz, Slovenia), and are available at http://www.anavex.com/publications.html.
About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is an extremely common form of cancer. It has the second highest mortality rate of all cancers in the western world. By 2010, it is predicted that over 480,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the seven major pharmaceutical markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, USA and Japan), with a prevalent population of 1.6 million individuals.
Drugs that act on the underlying cause of the disease and/or slow/reverse the progression of the disease, which have a novel mode of action that could fulfill some of the most urgent medical needs like efficacy, drug resistance, side effects, administration and affordability, are needed and have blockbuster potential. ANAVEX is developing drug candidates demonstrating the above properties.
About Sigma Receptors
Sigma receptors are a unique family of proteins, present mainly in the central nervous system (CNS) but also in various peripheral tissues. The receptors are classified into two subtypes: the sigma-1 and sigma-2. These subtypes are distinguishable pharmacologically, functionally and by molecular size. Sigma-1 receptors have been cloned and shown to be distinct from any known receptor class.
About Anavex
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is an emerging biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel drug targets for the treatment of cancer and neurological diseases. The company's proprietary SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery Platform involves the rational drug design of compounds that fulfill specific criteria based on unmet market needs and new scientific advances. Selected drug candidates demonstrate high, non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors, which are involved in the modulation of multiple cellular biochemical signaling pathways.
ANAVEX's SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-N program involves the development of novel and original drug candidates, targeting neurological and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression, etc.). The company's lead drug candidates exhibit high, non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors with strong evidence for anti-amnesic, neuroprotective, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, anti-depressant and anxiolytic properties.
ANAVEX SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-C program involves the development of novel and original drug candidates targeting cancer. The company's lead drug candidates exhibit high, non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors with strong evidence for selective pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and low toxicity properties in various types of solid cancers such as colon, prostate, breast, lung, etc.
Contact: Anavex Life Sciences Corp., Research & Business Development, Email: info@anavex.com; Shareholder & Media Relations, Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895, Outside North America: (416) 489-0092, Email: ir@anavex.com, www.anavex.com
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"These results are very encouraging, particularly regarding the therapeutic signals from the significant in vivo anti-cancer activity against HCT116 xenografts at low nanomolar level," said Dr. Kontzalis, Chief Executive Officer for ANAVEX. "We are committed to further exploring the benefits of ANAVEX 7-1073 as we aim to develop first-class therapeutics to fight various types of cancer."
A novel small synthetic sigma ligand, ANAVEX 7-1037 is a member of a new class of drugs designed to treat colorectal and other types of human cancer. Toxicological studies in mice have shown no evidence of the side effects that are usually observed with anti-cancer drugs available today. In pre-clinical lab tests, ANAVEX 7-1037 has demonstrated its ability to kill cancer cells.
Preclinical testing of ANAVEX 7-1037 also reveals that the drug candidate:
- exhibits high affinity for sigma-1 (nanomolar) and moderate
(micromolar) affinity for sigma-2 and sodium channels;
- induces initially detachment of cells as early as 6 hours after the
addition of 20 micromolars to the culture and subsequent apoptosis
that was accompanied by activation of both caspases -8 and -9 and
subsequent activation of caspase 3, as this was estimated by FACS and
western blot analysis; and
- causes growth delay when administrated i.p. to SCID mice, suggesting
a significant in vivo anticancer activity against HCT116 xenografts,
according to NCI criteria.
As such, pre-clinical studies so far suggest that ANAVEX 7-1037 may possess chemotherapeutic potential for the treatment of colorectal and other types of human cancer.
Ongoing pre-clinical studies are being conducted in collaboration with Universite Montpellier in France. These studies on immune-deficient mice are designed to assess and analyze ANAVEX 7-1037's ability to slow down and prevent tumor growth, stop cancer cells from spreading, enable the growth of new blood vessels and increase the number of cells through cell growth and division.
Published results were presented at the 15th Euroconference on Apoptosis (Portoroz, Slovenia), and are available at http://www.anavex.com/publications.html.
About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is an extremely common form of cancer. It has the second highest mortality rate of all cancers in the western world. By 2010, it is predicted that over 480,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the seven major pharmaceutical markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, USA and Japan), with a prevalent population of 1.6 million individuals.
Drugs that act on the underlying cause of the disease and/or slow/reverse the progression of the disease, which have a novel mode of action that could fulfill some of the most urgent medical needs like efficacy, drug resistance, side effects, administration and affordability, are needed and have blockbuster potential. ANAVEX is developing drug candidates demonstrating the above properties.
About Sigma Receptors
Sigma receptors are a unique family of proteins, present mainly in the central nervous system (CNS) but also in various peripheral tissues. The receptors are classified into two subtypes: the sigma-1 and sigma-2. These subtypes are distinguishable pharmacologically, functionally and by molecular size. Sigma-1 receptors have been cloned and shown to be distinct from any known receptor class.
About Anavex
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is an emerging biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel drug targets for the treatment of cancer and neurological diseases. The company's proprietary SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery Platform involves the rational drug design of compounds that fulfill specific criteria based on unmet market needs and new scientific advances. Selected drug candidates demonstrate high, non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors, which are involved in the modulation of multiple cellular biochemical signaling pathways.
ANAVEX's SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-N program involves the development of novel and original drug candidates, targeting neurological and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression, etc.). The company's lead drug candidates exhibit high, non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors with strong evidence for anti-amnesic, neuroprotective, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, anti-depressant and anxiolytic properties.
ANAVEX SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-C program involves the development of novel and original drug candidates targeting cancer. The company's lead drug candidates exhibit high, non-exclusive affinity for sigma receptors with strong evidence for selective pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and low toxicity properties in various types of solid cancers such as colon, prostate, breast, lung, etc.
Contact: Anavex Life Sciences Corp., Research & Business Development, Email: info@anavex.com; Shareholder & Media Relations, Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895, Outside North America: (416) 489-0092, Email: ir@anavex.com, www.anavex.com
###
Contact
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Nick Boutsalis
(416) 489-0092
www.anavex.com
Primoris Group, Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895, Outside North America: (416) 489-0092, Email: ir@anavex.com
Nick Boutsalis
(416) 489-0092
www.anavex.com
Primoris Group, Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895, Outside North America: (416) 489-0092, Email: ir@anavex.com
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