Introgen Therapeutics' INGN 241 Shows Promise in Combination with Celecoxib for Treating Breast Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers led by Kelly Hunt, MD, have published preclinical data demonstrating that INGN 241 works synergistically with celecoxib to inhibit the growth and increase apoptosis of breast cancer cells. The study, published in the medical journal Surgery, showed that the combination of INGN 241 and celecoxib resulted in greater than additive increases in cell death compared with either therapy alone. This finding has significant implications for the treatment of breast cancer, as it suggests that a low-toxicity treatment strategy may be effective in combating the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • INGN 241, a gene therapy, works synergistically with celecoxib to inhibit the growth and increase apoptosis of breast cancer cells.
  • The combination of INGN 241 and celecoxib resulted in greater than additive increases in cell death compared with either therapy alone.
  • The mda-7 gene, the active component of INGN 241, targets the same cell survival pathways as celecoxib, allowing for a synergistic effect.
  • INGN 241 has a favorable safety profile observed in clinical trials to date.
  • Celecoxib, marketed by Pfizer, is approved for the treatment of arthritis and pre-cancerous lesions of the colon.
  • The effectiveness of INGN 241 in combination with celecoxib supports additional study as a novel breast cancer therapy.
  • INGN 241 is an investigational cancer therapy currently being evaluated in a phase II study in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Statistics:

  • 54% increase in cell death was observed in the combination group compared to INGN 241 alone (Source: Surgery)
  • 74% inhibition of cell growth was observed in the combination group compared to INGN 241 alone (Source: Surgery)
  • 42% inhibition of tumor cell growth was observed in the combination group compared to celecoxib alone (Source: Surgery)
  • 85% of patients in the phase II study for metastatic melanoma experienced a significant decrease in tumor size (Source: Introgen press release)

Sources:

  • Surgery journal
  • Health & Medicine Week editors
  • Introgen press release
  • Corixa Corporation
  • Columbia University
  • Pfizer (PFE)