Aeterna phase I results support cancer compound

Further data showed the compound's good safety profile and established the maximum tolerated dose, which will be the recommended dose for a phase II trial. In addition to good safety data, the trial provided a hint of efficacy as disease stabilization and regression of lesions were observed.

Human breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers commonly express receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH-R). High-affinity binding sites for LHRH are found in 52% of human breast cancers, as well as in 80% of human ovarian and endometrial cancers. LHRH-R can be used for targeted chemotherapy with AN-152.

“This additional data provides further proof of concept that the chemical linkage of doxorubicin and the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone part of the drug molecule is stable in human blood. Most importantly, we witnessed a good safety profile and a hint of efficacy enabling us to establish a suitable dose for further development of AN-152 in the treatment of various cancers,” said Dr Jurgen Engel, executive vice president of global research and development at Aeterna Zentaris.

“This targeted approach is an additional example of personalized therapy which is becoming more and more the way of the future,” said Gilles Gagnon, president and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris.