Glycogenesys (NASDAQ:GLGS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2019 to Jun 2024
GCS-100 Targets Galectin-3 in Multiple Myeloma Cells In Vitro,
Leading to Increased Anti-Tumor Activity When Combined With
Dexamethasone
GlycoGenesys, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLGS), a biotechnology company, today
announced the publication of an in-depth article introducing new and
exciting in vitro findings about the Company's cancer drug candidate
GCS-100. The paper was authored by Dr. Kenneth C. Anderson and
researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in collaboration with
GlycoGenesys employees. It appeared in the American Association of
Cancer Researcher's publication Cancer Research, September 15, 2005;
Vol. 65, No.18 edition.
To provide the context to understand the potential commercial
implications of these new findings, it is important to know that
GlycoGenesys' cancer drug candidate GCS-100 has been shown to bind to
Galectin-3. Galectin-3 is over-expressed in a variety of cancers
including multiple myeloma, as well as solid tumors. Galectin-3 is a
protein that protects cancer cells from dying. Notably, GCS-100 is
currently in clinical testing for the treatment of multiple myeloma
and solid tumors.
With this as a background, this new in vitro data generated at the
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute illustrates for the first time that GCS-
100 decreases Galectin-3 expression in multiple myeloma cells when
tested in combination with dexamethasone (a drug frequently used to
treat multiple myeloma). These findings further showed that decreased
Galectin-3 expression correlates with increased anti-tumor activity.
This data adds to the understanding of how GCS-100 works in killing
multiple myeloma cells.
The following additional findings show that GCS-100 has the
potential to selectively kill and inhibit the growth of multiple
myeloma cells, including drug-resistant cells, as well as prevent
metastasis in patients with multiple myeloma:
-- GCS-100 selectively causes programmed cell death (apoptosis)
in multiple myeloma cell lines without killing normal white
blood cells;
-- GCS-100 blocks the growth of multiple myeloma cells from
patients resistant to Velcade(R), thalidomide, and
dexamethasone;
-- GCS-100 inhibited the growth of multiple myeloma cells even
when grown in the presence of bone marrow cells. The bone
marrow environment protects multiple myeloma cells and
provides a survival advantage for growing cells;
-- GCS-100 overcomes the protective effect of several proteins
important for drug resistance and growth of multiple myeloma
and other cancers, for example Bcl-2, Hsp-27, and NF-kB;
-- GCS-100 was shown to prevent the movement of multiple myeloma
cells caused by VEGF, a protein important in angiogenesis and
growth of multiple myeloma cells.
The paper concludes that "Collectively, these findings provide the
frame work for clinical trials of GCS-100, either alone or in
combination with dexamethasone, to enhance clinical efficacy, reduce
toxicity, and overcome drug resistance to conventional and Velcade
therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma."
CEO's Comments
Bradley J. Carver GlycoGenesys' CEO and President and an author of
the paper, stated, "Our ongoing myeloma trial is designed to get two
looks at GCS-100, both alone and in combination with dexamethasone.
This new preclinical data is quite relevant to our clinical trial
strategy in multiple myeloma." He continued, "Thus, our top priority
is to continue generating human clinical data."
GlycoGenesys has an ongoing Phase I/II dose escalation trial for
treatment of multiple myeloma being conducted at Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute and the Lucy Curci Cancer Center in Rancho Mirage,
California. Additional sites are planned.
About The Trial
The Company is currently enrolling patients in it's Phase I/II
dose escalation trial for treatment of multiple myeloma. The primary
objective of the study is to evaluate the safety of GCS-100 when given
to patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and to
identify the recommended dose for future studies. Secondary objectives
are to evaluate the response to GCS-100 as a monotherapy and in
combination with dexamethasone and determine the pharmacokinetics of
GCS-100 alone and with dexamethasone.
About Multiple Myeloma (MM)
Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow cancer in which white blood
cells known as plasma cells, normally responsible for the production
of infection-fighting antibodies, become abnormal and are
overproduced. The proliferation of these abnormal plasma cells, called
myeloma cells, results in decreased production of normal blood cells
and disease-fighting antibodies. This proliferation causes growth of
tumors that spread to multiple sites - hence the term multiple
myeloma. The decreased white blood cell production weakens the immune
system and decreased red blood cell production leads to fatigue and
weakness, while the myeloma tumors cause bone destruction, pain and
fractures.
MM is the second most common hematologic malignancy and although
the disease is predominantly a cancer among older individuals (the
average age of onset is 65 to 70 years of age), recent statistics
indicate both increasing incidence and onset at a younger age. In the
United States, more than 50,000 individuals have MM and over 14,600
new cases of the disease are diagnosed each year. Worldwide, there are
approximately 74,000 new cases and over 45,000 deaths due to multiple
myeloma each year.
About GlycoGenesys, Inc.
GlycoGenesys, Inc. is a biotechnology focused on carbohydrate drug
development. The Company's drug candidate GCS-100, a unique compound
to treat cancer, has been evaluated in previous clinical trials at low
dose levels in patients with colorectal, pancreatic and other solid
tumors with stable disease and partial response documented. The
Company currently is conducting a Phase I dose escalation trial to
evaluate higher dose levels of GCS-100LE, a low ethanol formulation of
GCS-100, at Sharp Memorial Hospital, Clinical Oncology Research in San
Diego, California and the Arizona Cancer Center in both Tucson and
Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition, GCS-100LE is being evaluated in a
Phase I/II trial for multiple myeloma at the Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute in Boston, Massachusetts and the Lucy Curci Cancer Center in
Rancho Mirage, California. Further clinical trials are planned for
2005, 2006 and 2007. Further information is available on GlycoGenesys'
web site: www.glycogenesys.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Any statements contained in this release that relate to future
plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks
of product development (such as failure to demonstrate efficacy or
safety), risk related to FDA and other regulatory procedures, market
acceptance risks, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the
results of current and future licensing, joint ventures and other
collaborative relationships, risks relating to raising sufficient
capital to fund the Company's operations, developments regarding
intellectual property rights and litigation, and other risks
identified in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-
looking statements, which speak only as the date hereof. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any
revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events.