CuraGen and TopoTarget Announce Initiation of an NCI-sponsored Phase II Clinical Trial of Belinostat for Thymoma and Thymic...(ng modulation of Tcells induction of the...)

Date:12/19/2007

ng modulation of T cells, induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and the inhibition of angiogenesis are involved in the pathogenesis and growth of thymic neoplasms. Belinostat was previously shown to have activity in treating a patient with thymoma, and we are therefore very interested in learning more about the potential activity of belinostat from this NCI-sponsored trial," commented Timothy Shannon, President and Chief Executive Officer of CuraGen Corporation.

About Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma

Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are rare tumors of the thymus with fewer than 1000 patients diagnosed in the United States per year. Histologically the tumors are of epithelial origin and can be classified as well-differentiated thymomas, moderately differentiated atypical thymomas or as poorly differentiated thymic carcinomas. The tumor is situated in the mediastinum and can be either locally invasive or metastatic. Primary treatment is surgery, but due to recurrence, unresectability or metastases there is a need for systemic chemotherapy. Platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are used as first-line treatment, but more than 50% of patients relapse and are in need of second line treatment. There are currently no drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of thymoma or thymic carcinoma.

About Belinostat

Belinostat is a small molecule HDAC inhibitor being investigated for its role in the treatment of a wide range of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies either as a single-agent, or in combination with other active anti-cancer agents, including carboplatin, paclitaxel, cis-retinoic acid, azacitidine, idarubicin and Velcade(R) (bortezomib) for Injection. HDAC inhibitors represent a new mechanistic class of anti-cancer therapeutics that target HDAC enzymes and have been shown to arrest growth of cancer cells (including drug resistant subtypes); induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death; promote differentiation; inhibit angiogenesis
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SOURCE CuraGen Corporation Copyright©2007 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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