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Curis, Inc. Presents Promising Preclinical Data for Hedgehog Antagonist in Treatment of Pancreatic and Small Cell Lung Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Genentech, Inc. presented preclinical data at the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) suggesting that a Hedgehog antagonist inhibited the growth of tumors in pancreatic cancer and small cell lung cancer. The data were generated as part of Curis' ongoing collaboration with Genentech to develop systemically administered Hedgehog small molecule antagonists for the potential treatment of solid tumors. The presentation described the use of a Hedgehog antagonist in small cell lung and pancreatic cancers, which have very low survival rates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The preclinical animal model data presented at the AACR suggested that a Hedgehog antagonist inhibited the growth of tumors in pancreatic cancer and small cell lung cancer.
  • The data were generated as part of Curis' ongoing collaboration with Genentech to develop systemically administered Hedgehog small molecule antagonists for the potential treatment of solid tumors.
  • The presentation at the AACR described the use of a Hedgehog antagonist in small cell lung and pancreatic cancers, which have very low survival rates.
  • Researchers used a primary tumor xenograft model to study the effect of a small molecule Hedgehog antagonist on tumor growth in mouse xenograft models initiated from human small cell lung cancer and human pancreatic cancer.
  • Daniel R. Passeri, president and chief executive officer of Curis, expressed pleasure with the data presented, which showed that a Hedgehog antagonist slowed tumor growth in preclinical models of these deadly cancers.
  • Curis also presented two posters on the Hedgehog pathway and its role in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and medulloblastoma, a rare childhood brain cancer.

Statistics:

  • The Hedgehog antagonist slowed tumor growth in preclinical models of pancreatic and small cell lung cancer.
  • The DATA presented at the AACR suggested a potential new therapy for solid tumors using systemically administered Hedgehog small molecule antagonists.
  • The presentation described the use of a Hedgehog antagonist in small cell lung and pancreatic cancers, which have very low survival rates (average 5-year survival rate of 4.6% for pancreatic cancer and 5.7% for small cell lung cancer).
  • Researchers used a primary tumor xenograft model to study the effect of a small molecule Hedgehog antagonist on tumor growth in mouse xenograft models initiated from human small cell lung cancer and human pancreatic cancer.

Sources:

  • "Curis, Inc. (CRIS) Announced the Presentation of Data at the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)". World Disease Weekly. Copyright 2006, World Disease Weekly via NewsRx.com.

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