Data Show SuperGen's Multi-Targeted Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Demonstrates Pre-clinical Activity in Glioblastoma ...( Small molecule drug inhibits key...),Health

Small molecule drug inhibits key DNA repair mechanism involved in

resistance

DUBLIN, Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SuperGen Inc. (Nasdaq: SUPG), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, rapid development and commercialization of therapies for solid tumors and hematological malignancies, today announced during an oral presentation at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's (ASTRO) 49th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles that MP470, its clinical-stage multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is cytotoxic to glioblastoma multiforme cell lines (Abstract No. 178). Activity was also demonstrated in vivo in a glioblastoma multiforme xenograft model. Evidence presented here suggests that MP470 inhibits DNA damage repair through suppression of a critical DNA repair protein, Rad51. Dr. James Welsh of the University of Arizona, who conducted these pre-clinical studies, also revealed that the pre-clinical activity of MP470 against glioblastoma multiforme cells is synergistic with radiation.

Glioblastoma multiforme is often resistant to cytotoxic therapies and radiation, due to increased DNA repair and the inhibition of programmed cell death. Signaling pathways downstream of tyrosine kinases such as PDGFR and c- Met, are thought to be a key player in this resistance. Scientists at SuperGen found that MP470 inhibits these kinases and data presented today indicate that MP470 is active in inducing cell death in glioblastoma multiforme cell lines. Additionally, data suggest that MP470 induces sensitization to radiation through suppression of Rad51, indicating that it might not only inhibit tumor growth, but that it could also potentially enhance
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