The studies evaluated the effect of bafetinib on bone cells (osteoclasts) from multiple myeloma patients.
The study results showed that in two model systems, bafetinib significantly suppressed the activity of osteoclasts and inhibited bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner.
CytRx president and CEO Steven Kriegsman said results from these studies showed that this kinase inhibitor could present a new therapeutic option to reduce skeletal complications in cancer patients.
"Reduction of bone loss represents one of multiple oncology indications in which bafetinib could represent an effective treatment," Kriegsman said.
CytRx is currently assessing bafetinib in three ongoing clinical trials: a Phase 2 proof-of-concept prostate cancer clinical trial in patients with advanced cancers; a Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial in patients with high-risk B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia; a pharmacokinetic clinical trial in patients with recurrent brain tumours.