BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ, October 8, 2001
- Genta Incorporated (Nasdaq: GNTA) today announced the publication
of two scientific papers that showed an important pipeline drug
down-regulated key cancer genes and exerted potent preclinical
antitumor activity in breast and ovarian cancer. Using the Companys
lead compound from its "Decoy Aptamer" program, the new papers
derive from the laboratory of Dr. Yoon S. Cho-Chung from the U.S.
National Cancer Institute. Genta Incorporated holds an exclusive
license to this technology.
"Decoy" technology involves using short DNA sequences to target
proteins known as "transcription factors" that normally bind
specific sequences in genomic DNA, thereby regulating downstream
production of a protein. "Decoys" attach themselves to these
factors, prevent their binding to DNA, and - depending upon whether
the factor is a positive or negative regulator - can be used to
selectively turn a gene on or off. The Company believes that this
technology can be used to affect production of proteins that are
critically involved in cancer growth and metastasis.
In two new papers, decoys targeted the cyclic AMP response
element binding protein (CRE-BP), which plays a critical role in
cell proliferation, differentiation, and programmed cell death
(apoptosis). Results showed that successful CRE-BP targeting also
markedly reduced the expression of other key regulatory genes that
are currently being targeted by other Companys approaches,
including protein kinase A (PKA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP),
and cyclin D1. Additional studies showed that CRE-BP decoys
potently reduced the growth of breast and ovarian cancer cells.
These authors have previously reported that the decoys have a broad
spectrum of antitumor activity that selectively spares normal
cells.
"The importance of these genes in regulating the cell cycle and
other activities has been widely recognized. Todays award of the
Nobel Prize for work in this area to Drs. Hartwell, Hunt, and Nurse
highlights the relevance of these targets to cancer medicine,"
commented Dr. Raymond P. Warrell, Jr., Gentas Chairman and CEO, who
noted:
"These new studies point to early clinical targets for this new
technology, particularly as intra-peritoneal therapy for metastatic
ovarian cancer."
Abstracts of the two scientific articles can be viewed at:
http://www.wkap.nl/oasis.aspx/321628
, and at:
http://www.idealibrary.com/links/doi/10.1006/bbrc.2001.4521
. The Nobel Prize release, which reviews key aspects of gene
regulation of the cell cycle, can be viewed at:
http://www.nobel.se/medicine/laureates/2001/press.aspxl
.
