NeuroVive Pharmaceutical AB, the mitochondrial medicine company, presents preclinical data from a new generation of sanglifehrin-based compounds with potent inhibitory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and anti-cancer activity in an experimental model of HCC at the scientific conference EASL HCC Summit held in Geneva, Switzerland, 2-5 February, 2017.

The company has explored anti-cancer effects in a new proprietary subset of sanglifehrin-based compounds. Results from a recently generated model compound, in which the anti-cancer activity has been optimized, show up to 500 times more potent inhibitory effects on human hepatocellular cancer cells (in vitro) compared to the existing cancer drug sorafenib (a registered drug for the treatment of advanced HCC). Furthermore, this compound class also demonstrated anti-cancer activity in an experimental (in vivo) model of HCC, after oral as well as intraperitoneal dosing. The compounds were not toxic to normal cells and well tolerated in vivo.

The results are summarized in a poster with the title Preclinical analysis of sanglifehrin-based cyclophilin inhibitors showing potential for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

“We are very impressed by the anti-cancer potency that has been revealed in these studies. This new sanglifehrin-based compound class, which we have optimized for anti-cancer activity, offers a very much needed new therapeutic opportunity to combat HCC through a unique mechanism of action”, said Magnus Hansson, chief medical officer at NeuroVive.

The EASL HCC Summit covers topics such as early detection, diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, highlighting both the basic science and clinical science aspects of this important and rapidly evolving field.

Liver cancer includes two major types: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic bile duct cancer. Infection with certain types of the hepatitis virus increases the risk of liver cancer. Patients with alcohol or fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH) induced liver cirrhosis also have an increased risk of developing cancer in the liver. Even though less common in northern Europe and the US, HCC is the sixth most prevalent cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

Hepatocellular cancer patients have a high medical need for new and effective treatment alternatives.