Callisto Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication Of Research Articles On Atiprimod Preclinical Studies In Myeloid And Other Malignancies
The first of the two articles co-authored by a group of established researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center focuses on Atiprimod's ability to inhibit proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells from marrow samples of healthy volunteers. The second article, authored by Dr. Kunwar Shailubhai, Sr. VP Discovery Research, Callisto Pharmaceuticals, describes possible mechanisms of action of Atiprimod in myeloid and other human malignancies. These articles strongly suggest that anti-cancer actions of Atiprimod could be via inhibition of JAK-STAT and the downstream Akt signaling pathways, which are important targets for cancer intervention, and which further support clinical evaluation of Atiprimod in human cancer patients.
Atiprimod is an orally bio-available small molecule drug that displays multiple mechanisms of action. The drug is presently in a Phase I/IIa human clinical trial in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients, and in a Phase I/IIa trial in advanced cancer patients. Callisto earlier announced in June interim data from the Phase I trial of Atiprimod in advanced cancer patients. The patients who were entered into this trial had growing tumors and symptoms that were no longer controlled by the standard therapies utilized. During treatment, three of the five advanced carcinoid patients had measurable tumor regressions and loss of many of the debilitating symptoms of this disease. Based on these data, Callisto announced on June 27 its intention to initiate a single-agent Phase II clinical trial of Atiprimod in advanced carcinoid cancer patients.
The two publications appeared in Leukemia Research, Jul 21 and Jul 6 [Epub ahead of print] (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=search&term=at ipr imod) (2006) and are titled: "Atiprimod blocks phosphorylation of JAK-STAT and inhibits proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells" by S. Faderl, A. Ferrajoli, D. Harris, Q. Van, H. M. Kantarjian, and Z. Estrov, and "Atiprimod: a multi-functional drug candidate for myeloid and other malignancies" by K. Shailubhai.
About Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Callisto is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new drugs to treat various forms of cancer and other serious afflictions. Callisto's drug candidates in development currently include anti-cancer agents in clinical development, in addition to drugs for other significant health care markets, including ulcerative colitis and biodefense. One of the Company's lead drug candidates, L-Annamycin, is being developed as a treatment for forms of relapsed acute leukemia, a currently incurable blood cancer. Callisto initiated a clinical trial of L-Annamycin in adult relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia patients in 4Q 2005. L-Annamycin, a new compound from the anthracycline family of proven anti-cancer drugs, has a novel therapeutic profile, including activity against resistant diseases and significantly reduced cardiotoxicity, or damage to the heart, compared to currently available drug alternatives. Another anti-cancer drug, Atiprimod, is in development to treat relapsed multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, and advanced carcinoid cancer. Atiprimod is presently in Phase I/IIa human clinical trials in relapsed multiple myeloma patients, and advanced cancer patients, respectively. Callisto also has drugs in preclinical development for gastro- intestinal inflammation, and a program focused on the development of a drug to protect against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus biowarfare agents. Callisto has exclusive worldwide licenses from AnorMED Inc. and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to develop, manufacture, use and sell Atiprimod and L-Annamycin, respectively. Callisto is also listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CA4, more information at http://www.callistopharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are indicated by words such as "expect," "should," "anticipate" and similar words indicating uncertainty in facts and figures. Although Callisto believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. As discussed in the Callisto Pharmaceuticals Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, and other periodic reports, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the following factors, among others: uncertainties associated with product development, the risk that products that appeared promising in early clinical trials do not demonstrate efficacy in larger-scale clinical trials, the risk that Callisto will not obtain approval to market its products, the risks associated with dependence upon key personnel and the need for additional financing.
Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc
http://www.callistopharma.com
Callisto Pharmaceuticals Announces Publicarea Cercetare articolele Pe Atiprimod preclinice de studii în Myeloid Si Alte neoplazii - Callisto Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication Of Research Articles On Atiprimod Preclinical Studies In Myeloid And Other Malignancies - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate