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NEWS RELEASE
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Lorus Therapeutics Announces Presentation of New Preclinical
Data for Anticancer Drug LOR-253 at the American Association
for Cancer Research Annual Meeting
TORONTO, CANADA, April 4, 2011 - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: LOR, PINK SHEETS: LRUSF) (“Lorus”), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery, research and development of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of cancer, today announced the presentation of new data for its lead small molecule anti-cancer drug candidate LOR-253 at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), taking place April 2-6, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. The presentation includes preclinical results on the anticancer efficacy of LOR-253 in human lung cancer, as well as an overview of the ongoing Phase I clinical trial for LOR-253 in advanced or metastatic solid tumors.
In the presentation, LOR-253 was shown to be a potent inhibitor of growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), both in vitro and in animal models of human NSCLC. Anticancer activity of LOR-253 in lung cancer models was related to expression of the tumor suppressor gene KLF4, which is a cell growth regulator that is either turned off or expressed at very low levels in many cancer types. LOR-253 was highly active against NSCLC cells with low KLF4 levels, while normal lung cells and lung cancer cells with higher levels of KLF4 were less sensitive to LOR-253. Anticancer efficacy of LOR-253 in NSCLC models was associated with induction of KLF4 in a dose-response manner. The results demonstrate that KLF4 is an important mediator of LOR-253 anticancer activity in NSCLC, and suggest that KLF4 may be an important biomarker for antitumor response to LOR-253 in this cancer type.
In addition, an overview of the design of the Phase I clinical study of LOR-253 in advanced or metastatic solid tumors was presented. This Phase I study is an open-label, dose-escalation investigation to determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended Phase II clinical dose of LOR-253. Additional trial objectives include the safety profile, pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity of LOR-253. The Phase I clinical study, which is being conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, is currently enrolling patients.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to present our latest results for LOR-253 at this year’s AACR Annual Meeting,” said Dr. Aiping Young, Lorus' President and CEO. “The involvement of KLF4 in the anticancer mechanism of action of LOR-253 is an important finding, and is consistent with previous reports on the role of KLF4 as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC and other cancers. We plan to explore the potential of KLF4 as a biomarker for LOR-253 in the Phase I trial.”
The poster presentation entitled “Anticancer activity and tumor selectivity of LOR-253, a novel drug candidate, in lung carcinoma” was given on April 3, 2011. The abstract for the presentation (Abstract Number 667) is available online on the AACR website (http://www.aacr.org).
About LOR-253
LOR-253 represents a new class of anticancer agent, which we believe may offer a competitive advantage over classical drugs. The drug has shown selective and potent antitumor activity in preclinical investigations with a variety of human cancers, including colon cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, and has demonstrated an excellent therapeutic window due to its low toxicity. LOR-253 is a first-in-class small molecule that has been optimized to inhibit the novel cancer target Metal-Responsive Transcription Factor 1 (MTF-1). MTF-1 is overexpressed in selective cancer indications, and its downregulation by LOR-253 results in induction of the novel tumor suppressor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), leading to the downregulation of cyclin D1, an important regulator of cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. MTF-1 downregulation also results in decreased expression of genes involved in the adaptation of tumors to hypoxia (low oxygen content) and angiogenesis. Increased angiogenesis and alterations in 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. The Company also has expertise in antimicrobial drug discovery.
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 continue as a going concern, 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 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:
Grace Tse, 416-798-1200 ext. 380; ir@lorusthera.com