SALT LAKE CITY -- Myriad Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced the presentation of non-clinical data demonstrating the potent anti-cancer activity of Azixa(TM) (MPC-6827), its small molecule microtubule destabilizing agent, in a model of brain cancer. Azixa is currently in two phase 2 studies for the treatment of primary brain tumors and one phase 2 trial for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
The data, presented today at the 2009 Joint Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors, demonstrated that Azixa reduced the growth of glioma tumor cells implanted into the brains of mice by 98% (p<0.01). This reduction in tumor growth significantly improved the survival of Azixa-treated mice when compared with control animals. Data from two additional cancer models demonstrated that the combination of Azixa and Avastin(R) (bevacizumab) was more efficacious than treatment with Avastin alone (p=0.006 for glioma).
"The ability of Azixa to cross the blood brain barrier together with demonstrated efficacy in this model of brain cancer are strong evidence supporting our clinical strategy to target brain tumors," said Dr. Adrian Hobden, President and CEO of Myriad Pharmaceuticals. "The additive efficacy of the combination of Azixa and Avastin, further encourages us that Azixa may be an important addition to the treatment regimes of this underserved patient population."
As previously announced, the oral presentation is available as PDFs on the Myriad Pharmaceuticals' website at www.myriadpharma.com
Azixa(TM) (MPC-6827)
Azixa is Myriad Pharmaceuticals' most advanced cancer drug candidate. Azixa is currently in three Phase 2 studies for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme and metastatic melanoma. Azixa has two unique distinguishing activities. In non-clinical studies, Azixa has demonstrated the ability to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain at levels as much as 3000% of that in plasma. Also, Azixa does not appear to be subject to multiple drug resistance (MDR) mechanisms. Frequently, primary and secondary tumors develop multiple drug resistance and stop responding to the chemotherapeutic agents used today, thus significantly limiting their effectiveness and leaving patients few additional therapeutic options. Glioblastoma multiforme is diagnosed in about 20,000 Americans each year. Metastases in the brain are a very common problem in late stage cancers with an annual US incidence of approximately 170,000 patients.
The Company expects to report interim results from the ongoing Phase 2 trial of Azixa in metastatic melanoma at the AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics meeting in Boston in November 2009.
About Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel small molecule drugs that address severe medical conditions, including cancer and HIV infection. Our pipeline includes clinical and pre-clinical product candidates with distinct mechanisms of action and novel chemical structures that have the potential to be first-in-class and/or best-in-class therapeutics. For more information visit www.myriadpharma.com.
(C) Copyright 2009 GlobeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.
We care about your feedback. Let us know how we can improve your CancerCompass experience.