Introgen Therapeutics Inc announced that the preclinical research which suggests INGN 241, its mda-7 therapeutic, shows promise as a possible treatment for prostate cancer. INGN 241 is also being evaluated in phase 2 clinical testing for solid tumors.

"Introgen is evaluating INGN 241 as a possible treatment for prostate cancer, a disease which affects almost a quarter of a million new patients each year, these data indicate we are on the right track," said Sunil Chada, Introgen's director of research and development. "The information we are gathering about INGN 241 and its ability to almost universally kill cancer cells without harming normal cells is valuable as we accelerate development of this broadly applicable therapy," he continued.

In the study, Introgen, and its collaborators at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center investigated the anti-tumor activity of INGN 241 and the underlying mechanisms of action in prostate cancer cells, and normal prostate epithelial cells. INGN 241 treated cells express high levels of MDA-7 protein, which induces significant suppression of cell growth and cell death in the prostate cancer cells, but not in the normal prostate cells. The methods by which the tumor killing occurred included the activation of certain molecular pathways (Jak-Stat, JNK), the inhibition of others (NK-kB), and the induction of cell cycle arrest. Apoptosis is induced by INGN 241 in tumor cells regardless of p53 mutational status, suggesting broad applicability. The scientists concluded the cancer cell killing ability of INGN 241 is tumor selective and importantly, that there is no toxicity associated with the drug to normal cells. Introgen has previous clinical experience in safely delivering therapeutic protein products to prostate cancer patients.

The mda-7 gene was discovered by the laboratory of Dr. Paul B. Fisher, professor of clinical pathology and the Michael and Stella Chernow Urological Cancer Research Scientist in the Departments of Neurological Surgery, Pathology and Urology at Columbia University. Introgen holds an exclusive worldwide license for all gene therapy applications from the Corixa Corporation.