New cancer drug shows promise in clinical trial

A new drug developed by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center has demonstrated success in tumor cell death, according to data published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. According to researchers, the drug has the potential to treat multiple types of cancer.

The drug is called AT-406 and has recently been shown to target inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, thereby destroying tumor cells without harming normal cells. According to researchers, the drug has the potential to work alone or combined with other treatments.

“Removing key apoptosis blockades in tumor cells is a completely new cancer therapeutic approach and could have benefit for the treatment of many types of human tumors,” Shaomeng Wang, PhD, Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor in Medicine and director of the Cancer Drug Discovery Program at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, said in a press release.

Since 2003, Wang and colleagues have been pursuing new cancer treatments aimed at this cell death pathway. They designed and formulated AT-406 and tested it in their laboratory in 2006. The small-molecule drug hones in directly on the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins.

In animal models, the drug reduced tumor size with few adverse effects. According to the researchers, because the drug is designed to be taken orally, it will be easier to administer compared with traditional IV chemotherapies.

Patent applications for the drug are exclusively licensed to Ascenta Therapeutics, a privately held, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company co-founded by Wang, according to the release. The first clinical trial to test AT-406 as a cancer treatment began in 2010 after extensive testing. This trial, which is being tested in all solid tumors, is offered at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duke University and the Mayo Clinic. A second trial of AT-406 in high-risk acute myeloid leukemia has recently been opened by Ascenta at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center. According to the release, several more clinical trials are planned.

“Our research goal, and our passion, is to translate our science and discovery into new and effective medicines for patients,” Wang said. “I am delighted to see the drug we have designed, made and tested in our laboratory now being given to patients right here in the same building.”

For more information:

Cai Q. J Med Chem. 2011;doi:10.1021/jm101505d.

Disclosure: Dr. Wang owns stocks and stock options in Ascenta and serves as a consultant for Ascenta.

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