- Interim research results has found Race Oncology’s (RAC) Zantrene drug can protect heart muscles from anthracycline induced cell death while boost the killing of breast cancer cells
- Anthracyclines are one of the most effective anti-cancer treatments developed, however can cause permanent damage
- While the drug improves heart safety, the question is can it help prevent the heart damage caused by anthracyclines has never been addressed
- A phase 2b trial is being planned for 2022 in breast cancer patients at high risk of anthracycline-caused heart damage
- On the market this morning, Race is up 8.88 per cent and trading at $3.68 per share
Race Oncology (RAC) has shared the interim results from the Zantrene preclinical heart safety research program.
The research has found that Zantrene is able to protect heart muscles from anthracycline-induced cell death, while improving the killing of breast cancer cells.
Anthracyclines are used to treat millions of cancer patients every year, such as leukemias, lymphomas, kidney, liver, stomach, ovarian, bladder, lung and breast cancer.
However, a side effect of anthracyclines is permanent damage to the heart.
Commenting on these results is associate professor Aaron Sverdlov who is very pleased with the results.
“Our results suggest that Zantrene, an effective anti-cancer medication, can concomitantly provide protection against toxic effects on the heart from one of the most commonly used chemotherapy agents, doxorubicin,” he said.
“This is the first evidence of its kind to demonstrate that there is a therapy that both targets the cancer and protects the heart! This has the potential to improve health outcomes for countless cancer patients and survivors by both improving their cancer treatment while preventing development of cardiovascular disease.”
Zantrene was originally developed as a heart-safer alternative to the anthracyclines particularly with respect to the preservation of heart muscle.
While the drug improved heart safety in more than 50 clinical trials, the question as to whether it could help prevent the heart damage caused by anthracyclines has never been addressed.
Advanced discussions are now underway with clinicians in Australia to run a Phase 2b clinical trial in breast cancer patients at serious risk of anthracycline-induced heart damage.
On the market this morning, Race was up 8.88 per cent and is trading at $3.68 per share at 11:26 am AEDT.