SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OXiGENE, Inc. (Nasdaq:OXGN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer, announced that data from a Phase 1 study of its dual-mechanism vascular disrupting agent OXi4503, demonstrating antitumor activity in patients with relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) being held in New Orleans, December 7-10, 2013.
The data will be presented in a poster by Christopher R. Cogle, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Details on the OXiGENE poster presentation are as follows:
| Title: | A Phase I Study of the Vascular Disrupting Combretastatin, OXi4503, in Patients with |
| Relapsed and Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic | |
| Syndromes (MDS) | |
| Authors: | Daniel Turner, BS1*, Andres Gonzalez, BS2*, Leslie Pettiford, RN2*, Amy Meacham, MS3*, |
| Elizabeth Wise, BS3*, Raphael C Bosse, BS3*, Dai Chaplin, PhD4*, Jack W. Hsu, MD5, | |
| Randy A Brown, MD5, John W Hiemenz, MD5*, Maxim Norkin, MD, PhD5, John R Wingard, MD5* | |
| and Christopher R Cogle, MD5 | |
| 1Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL | |
| 2Medicine, Hematology & Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL | |
| 3Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL | |
| 4OXiGENE, San Francisco, CA | |
| 5University of Florida, Gainesville, FL | |
| Abstract: | 1463 |
| Session ID/ | |
| Title: | Session 615. Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Therapy, Excluding Transplantation: Poster I |
| Date & Time/ | |
| Location: | Saturday, December 7, 2013 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Hall E, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. |
The abstract for this presentation can be viewed here: https://ash.confex.com/ash/2013/webprogram/Paper65534.html
About OXi4503
OXi4503 (combretastatin A1 diphosphate / CA1P) is a dual-mechanism vascular disrupting agent (VDA) that is being developed in clinical trials for the treatment of leukemias. Like its structural analog, ZYBRESTAT (fosbretabulin / CA4P), OXi4503 has been observed to block and destroy tumor vasculature, resulting in extensive tumor cell death and necrosis. In addition, preclinical data indicate that OXi4503 is metabolized by oxidative enzymes (e.g., tyrosinase and peroxidases), which are elevated in many solid tumors and tumor white blood cell infiltrates, to an orthoquinone chemical species that has direct cytotoxic effects on tumor cells. Preclinical studies have shown that OXi4503 has (i) single-agent activity against a range of xenograft tumor models; and (ii) synergistic or additive effects when incorporated in various combination regimens with chemotherapy, molecularly-targeted therapies (including tumor-angiogenesis inhibitors), and radiation therapy. OXi4503 has been evaluated as a monotherapy in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial in patients with advanced solid tumors and in patients with cancers involving the liver.
About OXiGENE
OXiGENE is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer. The Company's major focus is developing vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) that selectively disrupt abnormal blood vessels associated with solid tumor progression. The Company's lead clinical product, ZYBRESTAT, is in development as a potential treatment for ovarian cancer and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). OXiGENE is dedicated to leveraging its intellectual property and therapeutic development expertise to bring life-extending and life-enhancing medicines to patients.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this press release, which include the timing of advancement, outcomes, and regulatory guidance relative to our clinical programs, achievement of our business and financing objectives may turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions OXiGENE might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the inherent risks of drug development and regulatory review, and the availability of additional financing to continue development of our programs.
Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in OXiGENE's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including OXiGENE's reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. However, OXiGENE undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.