Oncothyreon's PX-478 is effective in preclinical model of human lung cancer

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[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nBELLEVUE, WA, Feb. 25 /CNW/ - Oncothyreon Inc. (Nasdaq - ONTY) (TSX -\nONY) (the "Company") today announced the presentation of data demonstrating\nthe effectiveness of PX-478 in a preclinical model of human lung cancer at the\n8th Annual Targeted Therapies of the Treatment of Lung Cancer meeting of the\nInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer in Santa Monica,\nCalifornia. The data were presented on February 22, 2008, by Jorg J. Jacoby,\nPh.D., Instructor, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.\nOncothyreon's PX-478 is a small molecule inhibitor of hypoxia inducible factor\n(HIF)-1 alpha currently in a Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced\nmetastatic cancer and lymphoma.\n\n\nThe study employed a model of lung cancer in mice, which closely mimics\nthe disease in humans. Treatment with oral PX-478 for five days resulted in\nsignificant inhibition of tumor growth, marked reduction in lymph nodes\nmetastases, decreased volume of pleural effusions, and significantly improved\nsurvival. PX-478 was effective in models of both non-small cell lung cancer\nand small cell lung cancer that express HIF-1 alpha.\n\n\n"These data suggest that antagonism of HIF-1 alpha with PX-478\nsignificantly inhibits the growth and spread of lung cancers expressing HI-1\nalpha and will prove valuable in planning clinical trials of this novel\nagent," said Roy Herbst, M.D., Professor, Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical\nOncology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and senior author of the current study.\n"We look forward to conducting further studies of PX-478 in combination with\nother agents used in the treatment of these diseases, and to participating in\nfuture clinical trials of this highly promising drug candidate."\n\n\nEnrollment is ongoing in the Phase 1 dose escalation trial of PX-478 in\npatients with advanced metastatic cancer and lymphoma. Clinical data from this\ntrial are expected in the second half of 2008.\n\n\nAbout PX-478\n\n\nPX-478 is a novel small molecule compound that inhibits the activity of\nhypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 alpha, a transcription factor that controls\nthe expression of a number of genes important for growth and survival of\ncancer cells. Genes regulated by HIF-1 alpha contribute to diverse functions\nincluding new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis),...

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