- Data demonstrate elesclomol activity against AML patient primary
blast cells and cell lines
- Results support clinical evaluation in AML
LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 2009--
Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: SNTA), a biopharmaceutical company
focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule
drugs to treat severe medical conditions, today announced the results of
a study evaluating the activity of elesclomol against acute myeloid
leukemia (AML) cell lines and primary leukemic blast cells from AML
patients, presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of
Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans.
Elesclomol is a first-in-class oxidative stress inducer that triggers
apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. In laboratory
studies, elesclomol has been shown to bind copper in plasma, facilitate
its uptake into cells, and enable a transition between copper oxidation
states once inside cancer cells. These reactions lead ultimately to the
initiation of programmed cell death via the mitochondrial apoptosis
pathway.
”Oxidative stress induction is a validated therapeutic approach in
hematological malignancies. The results presented at ASH provide
encouraging signs of activity by elesclomol, a first-in-class oxidative
stress inducer, in a range of AML cell lines,” said David Hedley, M.D.,
Senior Scientist, Division of Applied Molecular Oncology, Ontario Cancer
Institute, and Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret
Hospital, Toronto. “These experiments evaluated the mechanism of action
and activity of elesclomol as a single agent against cell lines
representing common genetic aberrations seen in AML as well as primary
blast cells from ten AML patients. Together, these results provide a
strong rationale to evaluate elesclomol in this often difficult-to-treat
patient population.”
“The experiments conducted at the University of Toronto showed
elesclomol was highly active against AML cell lines and primary blast
cells from AML patients at concentrations substantially lower than those
already achieved in cancer patients in clinical trials,” said Vojo
Vukovic, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer,
Synta. “Of particular interest were the ex vivo studies of primary AML
blast cells from patients recently treated at Toronto, where all 10
samples of leukemic cells responded to exposure to elesclomol. These
results provide a strong rationale for further exploring the potential
of elesclomol in AML, a disease with high medical need and limited
options for patients.”
About Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow
that can progress quickly if not treated. It is the most common acute
leukemia affecting adults. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates
that in 2009 about 12,810 new cases and about 9,000 deaths will occur
from AML in the United States.
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 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, 2008 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.
Source: Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Rob Kloppenburg, 781-541-7125