Exhibit 99.1
News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350
Attention Business Editors:
Lorus Therapeutics presents new findings for the anticancer drugs
LOR-253 and LOR-2040
- Scientific Presentation at the 99th Annual Meeting of the American
Association for Cancer Research (AACR) -
TORONTO, April 16 /CNW/ - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. ("Lorus") (TSX: LOR;
AMEX: LRP), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research,
development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and technologies
for the management of cancer, today announced presentations of further
preclinical data from its two lead anticancer drugs at the Annual Meeting of
the AACR in San Diego, CA, April 12-16, 2008.
The first presentation titled, "Preclinical development of LOR-253, a
novel anticancer drug candidate that functions by modulating intracellular
labile zinc homeostasis leading to cell cycle arrest," will be presented on
April 16, 2008.
In this presentation, Lorus provided data on the preclinical development
of LOR-253 (formerly known as LT-253), the Company's lead anticancer small
molecule, with a novel cellular target. In animal studies, LOR-253 showed a
favorable pharmacokinetic profile following intravenous dosing. A key finding
of the study was the tissue distribution of LOR-253, where the drug was
detected in tumor tissues in animal models, with significant affinity for lung
and colon tissues. These results strongly support the potential treatment of
these cancers with LOR-253, which has shown selective and potent anticancer
activity in animal models of non-small cell lung cancer and colon cancer.
LOR-253 is currently in IND-enabling GLP toxicology studies, which are to
be completed by mid-2008. Planning of a Phase I clinical trial in cancer
indications for LOR-253 is in progress.
The second presentation, presented on April 13, 2008 titled, "GTI-2040
displays cooperative anti-tumor activity, when combined with chemotherapeutics
and immunotherapeutics against human renal carcinoma xenografts".
This study reported preclinical results from combination therapies with
GTI-2040, which is now known as LOR-2040. The data showed that LOR-2040
significantly improved the anticancer efficacy of an important group of
cytokine immunotherapeutic agents, including interferon alpha and
interleukin-2, which have been used in the treatment of solid tumors. The
findings expand the potential avenues for development of LOR-2040.
"We are pleased to be able to present and discuss our findings at the
AACR annual meeting", commented Dr. Aiping Young, President and CEO of Lorus.
"These studies show our continued commitment to high quality preclinical
research that is in-line with our ongoing clinical programs and corporate
strategy".
About LOR-2040
LOR-2040 is a DNA-based drug that specifically targets the R2 component
of ribonucleotide reductase, which is required for DNA synthesis and cell
proliferation. R2 has also been described as a malignant determinant that is
elevated in a wide range of tumors, and through down regulation can cooperate
with a variety of cellular cancer causing genes known as oncogenes to enhance
tumor growth and metastatic potential. Currently, LOR-2040 is in seven
clinical studies, including a Phase II trial in AML, Phase I in MDS and Acute
Leukemias, and five Phase I/II trials in solid tumors.
About LOR-253
LOR-253 is a small molecule compound that has shown selective and potent
antitumor activity in a variety of human cancers, including colon cancer and
non-small cell lung cancer, and has an excellent therapeutic window due to its
low toxicity. The mode of action of LOR-253 involves the downregulation of
cyclin D1, an important regulator of cell cycle progression and cell
proliferation, and induction of the tumor suppressor Kruppel like factor 4
(KLF-4). Alterations in KLF-4 expression and the cyclin D1 regulatory pathway
have been linked to the development of cancer.
About Lorus
Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and
development of novel therapeutics in cancer. Lorus' goal is to capitalize on
its research, preclinical, clinical and regulatory expertise by developing new
drug candidates that can be used, either alone, or in combination with other
drugs, to successfully manage cancer. Through its own discovery efforts and an
acquisition and in-licensing program, Lorus is building a portfolio of
promising anticancer drugs. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the American Stock Exchange under
the symbol LRP.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such statements include, but are not
limited to, statements relating to: financings and corporate reorganizations,
the establishment of corporate alliances, the Company's plans, objectives,
expectations and intentions and other statements including words such as
"continue", "expect", "intend", "will", "should", "would", "may", and other
similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to
future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily
based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered
reasonable by us are inherently subject to significant business, economic,
competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many
factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
described in this press release. Such expressed or implied forward looking
statements could include, among others: our ability to obtain the capital
required for research and operations; the inherent risks in early stage drug
development including demonstrating efficacy; development time/cost and the
regulatory approval process; the progress of clinical trials; our ability to
find and enter into agreements with potential partners; our ability to attract
and retain key personnel; changing market conditions; and other risks detailed
from time-to-time in our ongoing quarterly filings, annual information forms,
annual reports and annual filings with Canadian securities regulators and the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
the assumptions set out in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our filings
with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission underlying those forward-looking statements prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein.
These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release
and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these
forward-looking statements, except as required by law. We cannot assure you
that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future
events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue
reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty
therein.
Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s recent press releases are available through its
website at www.lorusthera.com. For Lorus' regulatory filings on SEDAR, please
go to www.Sedar.com. For SEDAR filings prior to July 10, 2007 you will find
these under the company profile for Global Summit Real Estate Inc. (Old
Lorus).
%SEDAR: 00025614E %CIK: 0000882361
/For further information: Lorus Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Saeid Babaei,
(416) 798-1200 ext. 490, ir(at)lorusthera.com/
(LOR. LRP)
CO: Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
CNW 07:30e 16-APR-08