LEXINGTON, MA, May 22, 2000
- Genta Incorporated (Nasdaq:
GNTA
) announced presentation of an extensive review of scientific and
clinical results using Genasense
TM
(G3139), Genta"s lead investigational anticancer drug, at an
Educational Session held today at the annual meeting of the
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in New Orleans, LA.
The ASCO-sponsored session, entitled "Antisense Therapy of
Malignancy", was presented by Dr. Finbarr Cotter from St.
Bartholomew"s Hospital and the Royal London School of Medicine. The
program will be repeated on Tuesday May 23.
In the session, Dr. Cotter reviewed the development of antisense
therapy in general and the several antisense compounds that have
been clinically tested. He then focused on Genasense, which is the
only antisense drug in pre-registration Phase 3 clinical trials.
Using data from trials of Genasense that were reported in both The
Lancet and The Journal of Clinical Oncology, Dr. Cotter presented
results showing that Genasense readily achieved target plasma
concentrations established from preclinical studies. Furthermore,
this treatment was associated with objective responses as a
single-agent in patients with lymphoma. In the formal publication
of his review in the ASCO Educational Supplement, Dr. Cotter
summarized his results by noting, "Potential uses of bcl-2
antisense extend beyond the field of lymphoma, because
overexpression of bcl-2 is seen in melanoma and leukemia, and in
breast, lung, prostate, gastric, and colorectal tumors" among other
cancers. "The potential uses of bcl-2 AOs [antisense
oligonucleotides] are many. ...Potentially, the most important
application may be to overcome chemoresistance."
Dr. Raymond P. Warrell, Jr., President and CEO of Genta,
commented, "We view the selection of this topic by ASCO for its
Educational Sessions as a major turning point for the entire field
of antisense therapy. We are obviously delighted that one of our
principal investigators was selected to deliver the presentation,
and we view this session as further affirming our leadership in
this field of cancer research and treatment."
Genasense is designed to reduce levels of bcl-2, a protein that
contributes to resistance of cancer cells to current forms of
cancer treatment. Treatment with Genasense may markedly improve the
effectiveness of standard anticancer therapies.
