New Reata cancer drug reduces tumors

Research showed that RTA 402 protected mice from the development of invasive lung tumors following exposure to vinyl carbamate. This chemical causes mice to develop a large number of tumors in their lungs. Furthermore, these tumors tend to be highly invasive and aggressive form of lung cancer.

Mice that were administered RTA 402 after they had been exposed to vinyl carbamate were found to have 99% lower tumor burden than animals that did not receive the drug. RTA 402-treated animals developed tumors that were much smaller or invasive than in unprotected animals. In animals that did not receive RTA 402, almost all of the tumors were found to be of the invasive, deadly type.

Previously researchers demonstrated that a structural analogue of RTA 402 prevented the formation of liver cancer induced by a potent carcinogen known as aflatoxin. This new study supports these earlier findings and indicates that this new class of drugs, known as the synthetic triterpenoids, holds great promise in the area of cancer prevention. Additionally, the data indicate that these drugs may prove useful in preventing the recurrence and metastasis of tumors that respond to initial therapies.

Two drugs from this class of drugs, RTA 402 and RTA 401, are currently in phase I clinical trial for cancer indications. Trials in non- cancer indications are planned for early 2007.