Kancera has filed patent for new active substances against cancer

2011-10-07

Kancera reports that the company has registered an international patent application (PCT/EP2011/066250) for a new class of compounds targeting the energy metabolism of cancer cells. This new class of synthetic molecules inhibits the target protein PFKFB3. Inhibition of this target protein aims to weaken the tumor by mainly suppressing energy metabolism of cancer cells and thereby breaking the tumor resistance to radiation and chemotherapy without harming healthy cells. Kancera has been invited to present the PFKFB3 project at the World Cancer Metabolism Summit, February 2012, Washington.

Kancera have previously reported that active compounds against the cancer energy metabolism significantly increases the sensitivity of cells derived from human gastric cancer to cis-platin. Cis-platin is a clinically proven chemotherapy is widely used in the treatment of cancer. In addition, Kancera registered already in June 2011 an international patent application (PCT/EP2011/060526) covering active substances against the target protein PFKFB3. The company has now developed another class of compounds which have now resulted in a new international patent application.

“With this international patent application, we strengthen our patent portfolio in the PFKFB3 technology and take crucial steps towards the commercialization of the project” says CEO Thomas Olin.

About the PFKFB3 Project
Blocking the mechanisms that enable cancer cells to survive the extreme tumor microenvironment, such as periods of oxygen deficiency, may pave the way for entirely new treatment strategies. Kanceras project is based on a specific inhibition of the enzyme PFKFB3 that results in decreased metabolism and cell growth in hypoxic cancer environments. PFKFB3 is strongly upregulated in hypoxia by protein HIF (hypoxia induced factor). Inhibition of PFKFB3 is expected to starve and weaken the tumor cells by reducing its glycolysis and cell division. In this way one can overcome the current problems with tumor resistance to radiation and chemotherap

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