Semafore finds key molecule active against tumors

In vitro data showed significant (p<0.001) synergistic growth inhibition of prostate cancer cells with combinations of docetaxel and SF1126, as well as synergistic growth inhibition of brain cancer cells with combinations of doxorubicin and SF1126. In addition, SF1126 and rapamycin showed excellent growth inhibition synergies across all prostate, renal and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Simultaneous dosing of SF1126 with docetaxel in a prostate xenograft model exhibited slightly improved tumor response time as against administering SF1126 prior to docetaxel administration. In this same xenograft model, using very large tumors, it was shown that SF1126 in combination with docetaxel gave significantly greater tumor regression than did docetaxel alone (p<0.05). SF1126 as a single agent showed significant tumor growth inhibition relative to the control group (73% inhibition, p<0.01) in this model as well. Edward Jacobs, president and chief executive officer of Semafore, said: "These data support that our lead compound, SF1126, is active as a single agent and in synergy with a growing list of standard chemotherapy agents. This provides us with a pathway to clinical development in addition to our current Phase I clinical trial in patients with solid tumors. We expect to complete our Phase I clinical trial in the second quarter of 2008 and then evaluate SF1126 in additional trials, both as a single and combined therapy."