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December 15, 2009
Arno Therapeutics Announces Poster Presentation at ASH Annual Meeting Demonstrating Anti-Leukemic Stem Cell Activity of AR-42
PARSIPPANY, N.J., December 15, 2009 -- Arno Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology therapeutics, today announced the
presentation of a poster at the annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting
that describes the preclinical activity of Arno’s drug candidate AR-42 against leukemia
stem cells (LSCs). AR-42 is a broad spectrum inhibitor of both histone and non-histone
deacetylation proteins that demonstrated potent activity against Acute Myeloid Leukemia
(AML) stem cells. The poster, entitled “Identification of the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor
(HDACi), AR-42, as a Novel Anti-Leukemia Stem Cell Agent in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
(AML)” was presented at the 51st ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition held December 5-8,
2009 in New Orleans, LA.
LSCs are believed to be able to initiate and perpetuate AML while displaying resistance to
standard chemotherapies. The ability to target these cells with therapeutic compounds
may help improve patient outcomes. The poster’s findings show that AR-42 preferentially
targets LSCs compared to normal healthy cells. The research also suggests that AR-42 is
active through a mechanism that differentiates it from other compounds with preclinical
anti-LSC activity.
“The ability to target cancer stem cells presents an opportunity to change the way that we
treat patients, particularly those stricken with diseases that are currently difficult to cure,”
stated Monica Guzman, Ph.D., a co-author of the poster with AR-42 at Weill Cornell
Medical College. “Patients with AML are prone to recurrent disease, even if therapies are
initially effective. Current evidence suggests that the survival of LSCs after treatment
may ultimately contribute to the persistence of this disease and its poor clinical prognosis.
Inhibiting LSCs may help treat and prevent recurrence of AML in patients.”
“We identified AR-42 by screening a large number of gene expression profiles from the
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) for
potential anti-LSC agents. We were very excited to see our hypothesis confirmed both in
vivo and in vitro, and we look forward to discovering if the same promising activity will be
seen in the clinical setting,” said co-author Duane Hassane, Ph.D. of Weill Cornell Medical
College.
“Arno is very excited about the results from these recent studies and feels that this data
helps to support our belief that AR-42 has the potential to emerge as a meaningful
addition to the landscape of cancer therapies,” stated David Tanen, President of Arno.
About AR-42
AR-42 (formerly known as “HDAC-42”) is an orally available, broad spectrum inhibitor of
both histone and non-histone deacetylation proteins (“pan-DAC”), which may both be
important in cancer progression. Histone deacetylase (“HDAC”) inhibitors are a growing
class of compounds that target histone deactylase, a molecule involved in determining
which genes are expressed in a particular cell. In preclinical studies, AR-42 has shown
activity against a broad spectrum of deacetylation targets and increased potency
compared to vorinostat (“SAHA,” or Zolinza®), the first HDAC inhibitor to obtain FDA
approval. Arno currently plans to commence an investigator-initiated Phase I/IIa study
with AR-42 in collaboration with an academic institution in the first half of 2010.
About Arno Therapeutics
Arno Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops and
commercializes innovative products for the treatment of cancer patients. Arno’s lead
clinical compound, AR-12 (formerly known as “OSU-03012”), is a potentially first-in-class,
orally available, targeted anti-cancer agent that inhibits PDK-1, a protein in the PI3K/Akt
pathway, and also causes cell death through the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Arno is developing two additional drug candidates, AR-67 and AR-42. AR-67 is a novel,
third-generation camptothecin analogue that inhibits topoisomerase I activity. AR-67 has
demonstrated activity and an excellent safety profile in clinical studies as well as improved
pharmacokinetic properties when compared to approved second-generation products
Hycamtin® (topotecan) and Camptosar® (irinotecan). Arno is conducting a Phase II study
of AR-67 in patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) who have failed prior therapies
and anticipates commencing a Phase II study in patients with glioblastoma multiforme
(GBM), a highly aggressive form of brain cancer by the end of this year.
For more information on Arno please visit www.arnothera.com
Contact:
Brian Lenz, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Arno Therapeutics, Inc.
(862) 703-7175
bl@arnothera.com
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the timing,
progress and anticipated results of the clinical development, regulatory processes, potential clinical trial initiations,
potential IND and NDA filings, as well as our strategy, future operations, outlook, milestones, the success of Arno’s
product development, future financial position, future financial results, plans and objectives of management, are forwardlooking
statements. We may not actually achieve these plans, intentions or expectations and Arno cautions investors not
to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans,
intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Various important factors could cause
actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Such factors include,
among others, risks that the results of clinical trials will not support our claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of
our product candidates, our ability to finance the development of our product candidates, regulatory risks, and our
reliance on third party researchers and other collaborators. Arno is providing this information as of the date of this
presentation and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
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