Lorus Therapeutics GTI-2040 for Colon Cancer

On May 4, 2004 Lorus Therapeutics Inc. reported that it had initiated a clinical trial of GTI-2040 involving patients with advanced unresectable colon cancer. GTI-2040 was administered in combination with FDA approved chemotherapies capecitabine and oxaliplatin. Capectiabine is a first-line therapy while oxaliplatin is approved for use with 5 fluorouracil/ Leucovorin. This study is one of six clinical studies comprising the collaboration between Lorus and the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP). According to company releases, in pre-clinical studies GTI-2040 has successfully reduced the size of human adenocarcinoma tumors of the colon by 80% when injected into mice. Other pre-clinical findings include a broad spectrum of activity in vivo across many tumor types, and a 65% to 95% inhibition of lung metastases in two animal models.

GTI-2040 is a drug that exerts its activity by targeting a part of the ribonucleotide reductase enzyme known as R2. This enzyme is required for DNA synthesis and cell division. R2 is elevated in a wide variety of tumors and in some circumstances is thought to interact with cancer-causing genes to produce malignant cells with metastatic potential. Lorus states that the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of capecitabine and oxaliplatin, including inhibition of DNA repair, will be enhanced by this R2 blockade in colon cancer patients.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 106,370 new cases of colon cancer and 56,730 deaths are expected to occur in 2004, making colon cancer the third most common cancer in the United States.

Biohorizon is currently monitoring the progress of 76 emerging technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of colon and colorectal cancer, including 48 drugs or diagnostic tests in Phase II or later stage of development. The recent approval of Avastin for metastatic colorectal cancer highlights the importance of keeping abreast of developments in this critical disease indication. The pivotal clinical trials necessary for FDA approval have yet to commence for GTI-2040 and therefore we currently are recommending no assessment activities for this promising technology.

Technology Details
Target Disease / Indication: Colon Cancer
Technology Classification: Drug
Body System: Gastrointestinal System
Program Area: Medicine/Oncology
Regulatory Status: Phase II
BioHorizon Impact Score: 38/100 – Moderate