NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:STML) and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) today announced their collaboration to accelerate the development of SL-401 for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare hematological disorder with both leukemic and lymphomatous characteristics. LLS has committed over $3 million to support this effort, as well as providing a comprehensive educational program to increase physician and patient awareness of BPDCN.
SL-401, a novel targeted therapy directed to cancer stem cells (CSCs) and tumor bulk, has demonstrated efficacy in patients with advanced AML and BPDCN. This includes multiple durable complete responses (CRs) in both indications, a greater than 80% overall response rate (ORR) in BPDCN to date, and a notable improvement in overall survival (OS) of third-line AML patients relative to historical data.
Eric Rowinsky, M.D., chief medical officer of Stemline, commented: "We are delighted that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, whose efforts have brought forward advances in treating hematologic cancers and improved the lives of patients worldwide, recognizes the potential of SL-401 in a wide range of hematologic malignancies." He continued, "LLS plans to dedicate significant time and resources to enhance SL-401's development through a host of mechanisms uniquely at its disposal. LLS will increase awareness and provide education about BPDCN, which will undoubtedly result in improved care for patients."
"The development of SL-401, a novel targeted therapy directed to both tumor bulk and cancer stem cells, would be a significant advancement in the treatment of hematologic cancers that are among those most difficult to treat," said Lee Greenberger, Ph.D., LLS's chief scientific officer. "Our partnership with Stemline, funded under the Therapy Acceleration Program at LLS, is an excellent fit with LLS's initiative to expedite the development of cutting edge therapies for patients with blood cancers."
About Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.
Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel oncology therapeutics that target both cancer stem cells (CSCs) as well as the tumor bulk. Stemline's clinical candidates, SL-401 and SL-701, have demonstrated clinical activity, including durable complete responses (CRs), in Phase 1/2 studies of patients with advanced hematological and brain cancer, respectively. For more information about Stemline Therapeutics, visit www.stemline.com.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS exists to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Forward-looking statements:
Some of the statements included in this press release may be forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are identified from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements set forth in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof.