Kalos therapeutics is developing a novel, small peptide with activity against human pancreatic cancer
Phoenix, May 30, 2020 (Issuewire.com) – Kalos Therapeutics (KTPX), a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a platform of drugs based on the atrial natriuretic peptide family of peptides, which have demonstrated a broad spectrum of anti-tumor activity with negligible or no known adverse effects, today announced positive preclinical efficacy results of KTH-222 in an in vitro model of pancreatic cancer published in the American Journal of Cancer Research (www.ajcr.us). This study was conducted in collaboration between Kalos Therapeutics and Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona.
Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with a 5-year survival rate of only 4% to 7%. One of the recommended treatments for advanced pancreatic cancer is chemotherapy with gemcitabine, an antimetabolite, in combination with protein-bound paclitaxel, a tubulin inhibitor. While initially very effective, the long-term utility of this regimen is ultimately limited by toxicity and the development of resistance. Thus, there is a need for newer drugs or drug combinations to treat this disorder.
KTH-222 is a novel, 8-amino acid length peptide. It is derived from a motif identified in a group of peptides that are related to atrial natriuretic peptide, and that can inhibit cancer cell growth. KTPX reports that KTH-222 inhibits the rate of attachment, proliferation, and development of an invasive morphology of cultured human pancreatic tumor cells. At a biochemical level, it inhibits tubulin from combining to form a polymer, which may cause these cellular effects. KTPX further reports that KTH-222 reduces the rate of tumor growth and prolongs survival in mice implanted with MIA PaCa-2 cells. In this model system, KTH-222 is more effective than gemcitabine. Furthermore, KTH-222 does not decrease the rate of weight gain in the treated mice, suggesting the absence of gross toxicity. These activities of KTH-222 point to utility in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Michael Koslowski, Kalos Therapeutics’ Chief Science Officer, and Lead Investigator commented, “We are excited to introduce the first anti-cancer drug candidate based on the atrial natriuretic family of peptides. As such, KTH-222 represents a new approach to harnessing the body’s natural mechanisms for fighting cancer.” The positive results showing the efficacy of KTH-222 against human pancreatic cells in these studies provide the required proof-of-concept (POC) validation needed to advance KTH-222 into in vivo preclinical human and animal studies. Planning and preparation for these preclinical POC human and animal studies are in progress. George Colberg, Kalos Therapeutics Chairman, and CEO added, “Kalos has been focused on changing the cancer care paradigm, and we are thrilled to reach out to the pancreatic cancer care community with a new safer therapy.”
Paper at AJCR: http://ajcr.us/files/ajcr0113089.pdf
ABOUT KALOS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Kalos is pursuing a multi-phase strategy to reorient today’s therapeutic approach to cancer patients while driving changes to transform therapeutic approaches for unmet and rare medical conditions. Kalos has a lead compound KTH 222, which is more promising than “standard of care” drugs with difficult to treat tumors.
Kalos is devoted to treating the unmet needs of people living with incurable diseases while doing so with less toxic and debilitating side effects commonly associated with chemotherapies. Kalos believes that by leveraging nature and the body’s mechanisms, they have created new, safer approaches to cancer and diseases that affect the eye. Kalos has several applications for animal health based on both its eight-amino-acid and a 15-amino-acid drug KTV-111. Kalos aims to treat dangerous and debilitating diseases and improve the quality of life for the patient and their families.
Contact:
Kalos Therapeutics, Inc.: Jamie Jones, Chief Business Officer (215) 900-3930
Kalos Therapeutics, Inc. – info@kalostpx.com
For further information contact jjones@kalostpx.com
North America, California – United Kingdom, Northern Ireland
More information can be found on Kalos’ web site at http://www.kalostherapeutics.com
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Kalos Therapeutics
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Categories : Biotech , Health , Research , Science
Tags : cancer research , pharmaceutical , drug development