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NEWS RELEASE
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Lorus
Therapeutics Publishes Study Demonstrating LOR-2040 Improves
Anticancer
Effects of Interferon in Kidney Cancer
TORONTO, CANADA, JANUARY 28, 2009 -
Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: LOR) (“Lorus” or the “Corporation”), a
biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of
pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of cancer, today
announced the publication of a new preclinical study for its lead drug LOR-2040,
formerly known as GTI-2040.
The
article entitled “GTI-2040 Displays Cooperative Anti-Tumor Activity when
Combined with Interferon alpha against Human Renal Carcinoma Xenografts” was
published in the International Journal of Oncology (2009, Vol. 34: 33-42) and is
available online through PubMed
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/).
In
the article, the effect of the combination of LOR-2040 and interferon alpha
against renal (kidney) cell carcinoma was investigated in preclinical
studies. The study showed that LOR-2040 significantly improved the
antitumor activity of interferon alpha against renal cancer compared to
interferon alpha alone in animal models. The results support
the potential use of LOR-2040 and interferon alpha as a combination therapy for
treatment of renal cell carcinoma, which is the most common form of kidney
cancer.
Interferon
alpha is frequently used for treatment of renal cell cancer, either alone or in
combination with other anticancer agents. LOR-2040 has demonstrated
potent anticancer activity against renal cell cancer and other tumor types in
preclinical studies, with low toxicity. The studies in the article
show that the combined antiproliferative effects of LOR-2040 and interferon
alpha act cooperatively to produce an increased activity against renal cell
carcinoma.
“Renal
cell carcinoma is a difficult cancer to treat, and there are a limited number of
effective therapies, so there is an urgent need for therapies that improve the
standard of care for this disease”, said Dr. Aiping Young, Lorus’ President and
CEO. “Our ongoing study program with LOR-2040 has shown us that this drug
appears to have a favorable safety profile when used in combination in a range
of cancer types. These latest results expand the potential of
LOR-2040 to include renal cell carcinoma, in combination with
interferon”.
About
LOR-2040
LOR-2040
is an RNA-targeted drug that specifically targets the R2 component of
ribonucleotide reductase, which is required for DNA synthesis and cell
proliferation. Through downregulation of R2, LOR-2040 has demonstrated strong
antitumor and antimetastatic activity in a variety of tumor types in both in vitro and in vivo models and is under
study in a multiple Phase I/II clinical program, including an advanced Phase II
clinical trial with LOR-2040 and high dose Ara-C (HiDAC) in refractory and
relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The R2 target has been described as a
malignant determinant that is elevated in a wide range of tumor types, which can
cooperate with a variety of cellular cancer causing genes known as oncogenes to
enhance tumor growth and metastatic potential.
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.
Forward
Looking Statements
This
press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such statements include, but are not limited
to, statements relating to: our research program plans, our plans to conduct
clinical trials, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies and
the regulatory approval process, our ability to fund future research, our plans
to obtain partners to assist in the further development of our product
candidates, the establishment of corporate alliances, the Company’s plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements including words
such as “continue”, “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “should”,
“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 that
may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among
others: our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to repay or
refinance the convertible debentures by October 2009; 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 our 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 Annual
Information Form 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 the Company’s
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).
Enquiries:
For
further information, please contact:
Lorus
Therapeutics Inc.
Dr.
Saeid Babaei, 416-798-1200 ext. 490; ir@lorusthera.com