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Palo Alto, CA, April 9, 2003 — Telik, Inc. (Nasdaq:
TELK) announced a series of preclinical studies of its TLK286 product
candidate, currently in a Phase 3 registration trial for ovarian
cancer, and in clinical trials in non-small cell lung, breast and
colorectal cancer. The studies were published in the March 2003
Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for
Cancer Research.
TLK286 is a prodrug which is administered in an inactive form.
It is activated in cancer cells by GST P1-1, an enzyme present in
higher levels in important cancers including ovarian, lung, breast,
colorectal, pancreas and lymphoma, than in normal tissue. In previous
studies, Telik scientists have reported that TLK286 induces cancer
cell death via the stress response signaling pathway. New preclinical
data published on TLK286 include:
- TLK286-induced activation of the stress response apoptotic
signaling pathway: confirmation of novel antitumor mechanism of
action (Abstract # 2643). TLK286 toxicity to cancer cells
increases in a time- and dose-dependent manner after it is cleaved
by GST P1-1. Using an analog of TLK286 that could not be cleaved
by GST P1-1, Telik scientists demonstrated that the non-cleavable
analog was inactive, and therefore that cleavage is required for
TLK286 activation and subsequent cancer cell killing. This result
supports the premise that the selective activation of TLK286 within
cancer cells contributes to the generally mild side effect profile
and antitumor activity of TLK286 seen in clinical trials.
- Enhanced antitumor activity of TLK286 in combination with
oxaliplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel and docetaxel
in human colorectal, ovarian, non-small cell lung and breast cancer
cell lines (Abstract # 1722). Human cancer cell lines were
treated with TLK286 in combinations with several important chemotherapeutic
drugs. The studies consistently demonstrated enhanced or synergistic
cancer cell growth inhibition. For example, treatment of a colorectal
cancer cell line with TLK286 and oxaliplatin resulted in a fifteen-fold
increase in growth inhibition compared to the sum of either agent
alone. These data, and the mild, non-overlapping toxicities seen
in clinical trials of TLK286, suggest that combinations may be
appropriate and provide scientific support for ongoing clinical
trials using TLK286 in regimens with docetaxel, carboplatin and
doxorubicin (Doxil®).
- Sensitization of a human cancer cell line to paclitaxel following
prolonged treatment with TLK286 (Abstract # LB123). Following
up on the combination studies, Telik scientists examined the effects
of prolonged exposure of human ovarian cancer cells to TLK286.
TLK286 exposure was associated with enhanced sensitivity of the
cancer cells to taxanes, an important class of chemotherapeutic
drugs.
Telik, Inc. of Palo Alto, CA is a biopharmaceutical company working
to discover, develop and commercialize small molecule drugs to treat
serious diseases for which there is significant demand for new therapies.
The company’s most advanced drug development candidate is
TLK286, a tumor activated small molecule drug that is in a Phase
3 registration trial in ovarian cancer and in clinical trials in
non-small cell lung, colorectal and breast cancer. TLK199 is in
a Phase 1-2a trial in myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of pre-leukemia,
and may have potential in other hematologic conditions associated
with cytopenia, including chemotherapy-induced cytopenia. Telik’s
product candidates were discovered using its proprietary drug discovery
technology, TRAP, which enables the rapid and efficient discovery
of small molecule drug candidates. Additional information is available
at www.telik.com.
You should not rely on forward-looking statements contained in
this press release, including statements regarding the potential
for TLK286 or TLK199 to treat one or more types of cancer. Telik
can give no assurance with regard to these statements. TLK286 and
TLK199 are in clinical development and have not been approved for
marketing, and there can be no assurance that the clinical trials
required to successfully develop these compounds will have a successful
outcome, or that regulatory approval will be obtained. Telik is
reliant on external manufacturing of TLK286 and TLK199. More detailed
information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially from the results expressed or implied by statements in
this press release may be found in Telik’s periodic filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Telik assumes no obligation
to update any information in this press release.
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Contact:
Carol DeGuzman
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
Telik, Inc.
Tel 650-845-7728
Email cdeguzman@telik.com
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