ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
announced today the publication of two scientific papers supporting its HAAH
Oncology Program.
The first publication appeared in the journal Laboratory Investigation
(July, vol. 82, pages 881-891). The paper, entitled, "Role of Aspartyl-
Asparaginyl-beta-Hydroxylase Gene in Neuroblastoma Cell Motility," provided
findings supporting AAH's role in the motility and aggressive behavior of
tumor cells. The over-expression of AAH was observed in primary human
malignant neuroectodermal tumors, including medulloblastomas and
neuroblastomas. AAH expression was at a low or undetectable level in normal
mature brain. Endogenous expression of AAH was observed in a neuroblastoma
cell line, and the immunoreactivity was predominantly localized to the cell
surface. Neuroblastoma cells that were transfected with the AAH gene had
increased cell proliferation and motility. Inhibition of AAH using an
antisense oligonucleotide significantly reduced cell motility. This along with
other findings suggest that AAH overexpression contributes to the malignant
phenotype by increasing motility and enhancing proliferation, survival, and
cell cycle progression. The low or undetectable AAH expression in normal brain
also makes AAH a viable target for treating primitive neuroectodermal tumors.
The second publication appeared in the journal Pancreas (July, vol. 25,
pages 39-44). The paper, entitled, "Human Aspartyl (Asparaginyl) beta-
Hydroxylase Monoclonal Antibodies: Potential Biomarkers for Pancreatic
Carcinoma," evaluated anti-AAH antibodies for their binding specificity to
pancreatic adenocarcinoma relative to normal pancreatic tissue. Intense levels
of immunoreactivity were observed in all nineteen tumors tested, but not in
normal adjacent pancreatic tissue. Increased levels of immunoreactivity were
detected in at least 75% of the tumor cells in 18 of 19 cases. These results
suggest that AAH is potentially an excellent biomarker for pancreatic
adenocarcinoma.
Hossein A. Ghanbari, Ph.D., President and CEO of Panacea stated, "These
are exciting findings in important and devastating cancers where early
detection is imperative and current treatment strategies are inadequate. We
are continuing to develop assays that will allow for the development of
therapeutic agents aimed at AAH. These assays have the potential to be
superior tools for total patient management from diagnosis to prognosis and
beyond."
Background on HAAH Oncology Program
HAAH over-expression has been detected in primary tumor tissue of all
eighteen tumor types tested to date, including cancers of the pancreas,
breast, ovary, liver, colon, prostate, lung, brain, and bile duct. HAAH over-
expression has been detected in 99% of tumor specimens (greater than 600)
tested to date and has not been detected in normal or adjacent non-affected
tissue. Recent findings in preclinical studies have indicated that over-
expression of HAAH is sufficient to induce cellular transformation, to
increase cell motility and invasiveness, and to establish tumor formation in
animals.
Even partial inhibition of HAAH expression appears to have a beneficial
effect on tumor cells, causing them to revert to a more normal phenotype as
measured by the inhibition of growth, motility, and invasiveness. HAAH is
over-expressed on the surface of cancer cells, potentially facilitating
detection, drug delivery, and enzyme inhibition.
Panacea signed a Collaboration and License Agreement with MedImmune, Inc.
in early 2002 to discover, develop, and commercialize therapeutic agents for
the prevention or treatment of human disease based on Panacea's HAAH
technology or its pathways.
About Panacea Pharmaceuticals
Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company
focused on utilizing functional genomics and proteomics to develop
therapeutics and diagnostics for diseases with substantial unmet clinical
need. The Company's product development focus is on novel proteins and
biochemical pathways related to cellular regulation and cell cycle
abnormalities in oncology as well as neurodegenerative diseases, particularly
Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. More information is available at
http://www.PanaceaPharma.com.
Except for historical information presented in this press release, matters
discussed herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-
looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management only
as of the date of this release and are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any
future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not
limited to, uncertainties related to our access to capital, the progress,
costs, and results of any clinical trials undertaken by us, progress of our
research and development projects, and uncertainties related to whether our
product candidates would ultimately achieve commercial success. We do not
undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise unless
required by law.
CONTACT: Kasra Ghanbari, Chief Operating Officer of Panacea
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-240-453-6295, fax: +1-240-465-0450 or
Kasra@PanaceaPharma.com
SOURCE Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.panaceapharma.com
CONTACT:
Kasra Ghanbari, Chief Operating Officer of
Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-240-453-6295, fax:
+1-240-465-0450 or Kasra@PanaceaPharma.com
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