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- Race Oncology’s (RAC) Zantrene treatment has been proven to kill melanoma cancer cells that overproduce the fat mass and obesity associated protein, FTO
- A collaborative preclinical research program underway with the University of Newcastle is exploring the use of Zantrene as a potential treatment for melanoma using cellular and mouse models
- Interim results show Zantrene to be highly effective at killing a diverse range of high FTO-producing melanoma cell subtypes
- The company says results are highly supportive of future clinical trials in melanoma using Zantrene in combination with standard of care treatments
- Race Oncology last traded at $3.38 on September 29
Race Oncology (RAC) has shown its Zantrene treatment can kill melanoma cancer cells that overproduce the fat mass and obesity associated protein, FTO.
A collaborative preclinical melanoma research program is currently underway with the University of Newcastle. The program is exploring the use of Zantrene as a potential treatment for melanoma using cellular and mouse models.
The aim of the research was to identify drug combination and melanoma subtypes that show improved treatment responses, with a focus on treatment-resistant melanomas.
Twenty-five melanoma cancer cell lines were screened for their sensitivity to Zantrene. Interim results showed Zantrene to be highly effective at killing a diverse range of high FTO-producing melanoma cell subtypes and has been identified as a potent targeted inhibitor of the FTO-associated protein.
Previous studies have observed that FTO is over-produced in around half of metastatic melanomas, and that inhibition of FTO can overcome PD-1 immune checkpoint resistance in mouse melanoma models.
Race CSO Dr Daniel Tillet said the interim results are highly encouraging and support its clinical plans for Zantrene.
“The high sensitivity of many of the melanoma cell lines to Zantrene as a single agent at concentrations well below chemotherapeutic doses is unexpected and may offer new treatment options for melanoma patients,” Dr Tillet said.
The company said results were highly supportive of future clinical trials in melanoma using Zantrene in combination with standard of care treatments.
Race Oncology last traded at $3.38 on September 29.
