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Potent anticancer activity against several common tumor types
TORONTO, Canada I February 24, 2010 I Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:LOR - News)("Lorus"), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of cancer, today announced a publication demonstrating the antitumor activity of a novel cytokine interleukin 17E (IL-17E). The article entitled "IL-17E, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has antitumor efficacy against several tumor types in vivo" was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy and is currently available online on the Journal's website.
In this article, Lorus' scientists demonstrated the antitumor effects of IL-17E alone and in combination with a number of approved anticancer agents in preclinical models. The studies showed that IL-17E alone had potent antitumor activity in a number of solid tumors, including melanoma, breast, colon, pancreatic, and non-small cell lung cancers. In combination studies, IL-17E was compatible with a wide variety of approved anticancer drugs, including Avastin, Tarceva, Taxol, Cisplatin, Dacarbazine, Irinotecan, and Gemzar. Furthermore, the combination of IL-17E with each of these anticancer agents showed greater anticancer efficacy than either agent alone without additional toxicity.
The article also provided data on the mechanism of anticancer activity for IL-17E, showing that IL-17E activates the immune system, specifically acting on eosinophils and B cells. IL-17E stimulated the production of eosinophils and increased the infiltration of eosinophils into tumors in association with antitumor response. The studies also showed that B cells were necessary for IL-17E antitumor efficacy.
The results presented in the article expand on Lorus' previous findings on the antitumor mechanism of the immunotherapy agent Virulizin, which is known to stimulate production of IL-17E, eosinophils and B cells in association with anticancer activity in preclinical cancer models.
"We're very encouraged by these preclinical findings, because they indicate that IL-17E not only has broad antitumor activity that is comparable to several approved anticancer therapies, but also improves the efficacy of these therapies in combination studies", said Dr. Aiping Young, Lorus' President and CEO.
About IL-17E
IL-17E (also known as IL-25) is a cytokine protein that is produced by the immune system. IL-17E is an inflammatory cytokine that regulates the functions of a number of immune system cells, including eosinophils and B cells. IL-17E also plays a role in allergic inflammation as well as immunity to certain parasites.
About Lorus
Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, research and development of novel therapeutics in cancer. Lorus' goal is to capitalize on its research, preclinical, clinical and regulatory expertise by developing new drug candidates that can be used, either alone, or in combination with other drugs, to successfully manage cancer. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR.
SOURCE: Lorus Therapeutics |
