VANCOUVER, Oct. 24, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- First patient treated
with PRX302 at prestigious cancer center
Protox(TM) Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V:PRX) today announced that the University of
Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, following Institutional Review Board (IRB)
approval, has initiated treatment of its first patient in the Company's ongoing
Phase I clinical trial using PRX302 for localized recurrent prostate cancer. M.
D. Anderson joins the University of Vermont and Scott & White Memorial
Hospital, lead center in the trial, which began treating patients in May 2006.
"The addition of a world-renowned center like M. D. Anderson further confirms
our commitment to realizing the full potential that we believe this therapeutic
approach will provide for men suffering from prostate cancer," said Dr. Fahar
Merchant, President and Chief Executive Officer of Protox Therapeutics. "We look
forward to reporting interim results later this year."
PRX302 is a pro-drug activated by prostate specific antigen (PSA), an enzyme
produced in high levels by prostate cancer cells. Once activated, PRX302 reduces
the size of a tumor by destroying cancer cells by creating a hole or pore in the
cell membrane. PRX302 is expected to have fewer side effects than traditional or
current systemic treatments because it is delivered locally to the prostate.
The Phase I trial is intended to examine the safety, tolerability and
therapeutic activity of PRX302 in patients with localized recurrent prostate
cancer. PRX302 is injected into the prostate under sonographic guidance. Each
new cohort of patients receives a higher dose of PRX302 once safety of the drug
is established in the previous cohort. Changes in PSA levels are measured and
prostate biopsies are performed after 30 days to monitor therapeutic activity.
The Company expects to report interim data from the trial before the end of
2006.
About M. D. Anderson Cancer Center,
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, has established an
international reputation as one of the world's preeminent centers for cancer
patient care, research, education and prevention. M. D. Anderson was designated
by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as one of the first three Comprehensive
Cancer Centers in the United States. Named the nation's top cancer hospital by
U.S. News and World Report's four out of the past six years, more than 70,000
cancer patients receive care at M. D. Anderson each year.
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in North American men.
One in every six men is diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. It
is estimated that during 2006 approximately 250,000 new cases of prostate cancer
will be diagnosed and some 30,000 men will die from the disease throughout North
America. Current treatment options for localized prostate cancer include surgery
(radical prostatectomy), brachytherapy (implantation of radioactive seeds), and
external beam irradiation. Serious side effects are associated with all these
therapies including erectile dysfunction, incontinence and bowel problems.
About Protox
Protox Therapeutics is a product-focused clinical-stage company and a leader in
advancing novel, targeted protein toxin therapeutics for treatment of cancer and
other proliferative diseases. The company is actively developing two distinct
but complementary platforms, INxin(TM) and PORxin(TM), and currently has three
clinical programs in development. A Phase IIa clinical trial into the use of
PRX321 (INxin) for the treatment of primary brain cancer has been completed and
the drug has received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Status from the US
FDA. In addition, a Phase I trial has been completed for PRX321 to treat
patients with renal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Patient
enrolment is underway for a Phase I clinical study into the use of PRX302
(PORxin) to treat localized prostate cancer. A second Phase I clinical trial
will commence early next year for PRX302 to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
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RELEASE. THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Certain statements included in this press release may be considered
forward-looking. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to
be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore
these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or
results. All forward-looking statements are based on Protox' current beliefs as
well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Protox and
relate to, among other things, anticipated financial performance, business
prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, market acceptance and future
commitments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press
release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties
identified by Protox in its public securities filings; actual events may differ
materially from current expectations. Protox disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE: Protox Therapeutics Inc.
CONTACT: visit our website at www.protoxtherapeutics.com, or contact: Anthony Boone, Director,
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Protox Therapeutics, (604) 688-4369,
aboone@protoxtherapeutics.com; Michael Moore, Investor Relations, The Equicom Group,
(416) 815-0700 x 241, mmoore@equicomgroup.com
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INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MTC