AEterna Zentaris Reaches 2nd Stage of Patient Recruitment for Phase 2 Trial in Ovarian Cancer with the Innovative LHRH Receptor Targeted Conjugate...(of 27 cycles. Most of the patients hadbe...),Health

The study showed that AEZS-108 was well tolerated by patients with gynaecological tumors. Furthermore, AEZS-108 is the first drug in a clinical study that targets the cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin specifically to LHRH-receptor expressing tumors. Finally, signs of anti-tumor activity were observed in seven out of 13 patients treated with 160 or 267 mg/m2 of AEZS-108, including three patients with complete or partial response.

About AEZS-108

AEZS-108 represents a new targeting concept in oncology using a cytotoxic peptide conjugate which is a hybrid molecule composed of a synthetic peptide carrier and a well-known cytotoxic agent, doxorubicin. The design of this product allows for the specific binding and selective uptake of the cytotoxic conjugate by LHRH-receptor-positive tumors. The binding of AEZS-108 to cancerous cells that express these receptors, results in its accumulation in the malignant tissue. This binding is followed by internalization and retention of the cytotoxic drug, doxorubicin, in the cells. Therefore, since they target specific cells, cytotoxic conjugates are postulated to be less toxic, have less side-effects and are more effective in vivo than the respective non-conjugated/non-linked cytotoxic agents in inhibiting tumor growth.

About ovarian and endometrial cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic malignancies and the fifth most frequent cause of cancer death in women, with most of the cases occurring in women between 50 and 75 years of age. Overall, ovarian cancer accounts for 4% of all cancer diagnosis in women and 5% of all cancer deaths. Approximately 26,000 new cases and 17,000 deaths from this disease are estimated in the European community every year (Source: Gynecologic Oncology, Volume 92, Issue 3, March 2004, Pages 819-826).

Cancer of the endometrium is the most common gynaecologic malign
'/>"/>