Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PR Newswire, 19 December 1996.
"Preclinical studies with ALRT1550 have reinforced our belief that therapeutics directed at the retinoid receptor subfamilies have potential to create powerful new therapeutic products that may improve clinical efficacy with much more tolerable side effects than those associated with chemotherapy," said Marvin E. Rosenthale, Ph.D., President, ALRT. "Preclinically, ALRT1550 is a potent antiproliferative agent in a broad range of cancers including breast cancer, leukemias and squamous cell epithelial cancers, such as head and neck cancers."
Results of preclinical studies indicated that ALRT1550 is also effective at inhibiting the growth of established tumors in animal models of head and neck cancer. Nearly 40,000 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year and there are few therapeutic alternatives for patients suffering from this life-threatening disease.
Additional clinical targets for ALRT1550 which are currently under consideration include the following cancers: ovarian, cervical, head and neck, and breast. In vivo and in vitro studies indicated additive or synergistic effects of ALRT1550 in combination with chemotherapy agents and biological response modifiers.
ALRT1550 is a proprietary retinoid-based compound that selectively stimulates RARs, which are intracellular receptors that mediate a variety of critical cellular activities, including cell proliferation and differentiation. Compounds which can selectively stimulate specific subsets of retinoid receptors have been shown to have promise as potential therapeutics that can deliver significant clinical benefits.
Allergan Ligand Retinoid Therapeutics, Inc. was formed in 1994 to discover and develop drugs based on retinoids. Retinoids have a broad range of biological actions, and evidence suggests they may be useful in the treatment of a variety of cancers, including leukemias and certain metabolic, skin and eye diseases. The Company's lead product, topical Panretin(TM) Gel (ALRT1057), a retinoid receptor pan-agonist, is in pivotal Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Pivotal Phase II/III clinical trials for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia are being launched for oral Panretin Capsules. International Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (in Canada and the U.S. in combination with interferon alpha), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, KS, and breast cancer as well as myelodysplastic syndrome are also being conducted with Panretin Capsules.
This press release contains certain forward looking statements by ALRT and actual results could differ materially from those described as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the following. There can be no assurance: (a) that the preclinical results described herein will be observed in patients; (b) that these or any new products under development by ALRT will receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other authorities to market any of these products; (c) that, if approved, there will be a market for the products; or (d) that interim results will be predictive of any final results.
CONTACT: Susan E. Atkins, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations of Ligand Pharmaceuticals, 619-550-7687/ 09:01 EST
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