Dendreon Presents Preclinical Data Demonstrating Activity of TRPM8 Agonist, D-3263, in Benign Prostatic H...( -- Data Presented at American Urologi...),Health

-- Data Presented at American Urological Association Annual Meeting --

SEATTLE and CHICAGO, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Researchers from Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) today presented preclinical data demonstrating the potential of D-3263, Dendreon's orally bioavailable small molecule, which targets TRPM8 (a transmembrane cation channel protein), to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). D-3263 demonstrated the ability to reduce BPH alone and in combination with finasteride, a current treatment for BPH.

The abstract (#1408), "Preclinical Evaluation of the TRPM8 Ion Channel Agonist D-3263 for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia" is being presented at the American Urological Association's (AUA) 2009 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, today in a poster session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT.

In a preclinical study, BPH was induced in rats through subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (TP). One week after initiation of BPH, either D-3263, finasteride (an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase) or a combination of the two agents was administered daily for two weeks. Following treatment, blood was sampled, prostates were collected and weighed, and tissue sections were examined histologically.

Rats with TP-induced BPH who were treated with D-3263, finasteride or a combination of the two, had a significant reduction (p=0.004) of mean prostate weight and prostate hyperplasia with evidence of a dose response. In addition, the highest dose of D-3263 given in combination with finasteride resulted in lower prostate weights than either agent given alone, suggesting a potential additive effect. BPH-induced animals showed increases in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations in the plasma, levels of which were reduced in animals treated with D-3263, finasteride or a combination of the tw
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