WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Oct. 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inspyr Therapeutics (OTCQB:NSPX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced the initiation of a new investigator-sponsored preclinical study of its proprietary compounds generated through its adenosine receptor modulator (ARM) technology platform. This preclinical study will evaluate adenosine receptor agonists for the management of atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the arteries and the primary cause of heart disease and stroke.
“Atherosclerosis is caused by a chronic inflammatory response resulting in the hardening and narrowing of arteries and early research has demonstrated the potential of our novel adenosine receptor agonists to have atheroprotective effects,” said Ronald Shazer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Inspyr Therapeutics. “Previous research with our adenosine receptor agonists demonstrated increased expression of reverse cholesterol transport proteins in cultured human macrophages, an important mechanism against the development of atherosclerosis. We look forward to learning more about the potential utility of our compounds to treat this prevalent disease and expect to have results in early 2018.”
“The majority of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, are caused by atherosclerosis and we need better treatment options for patients, particularly as our population ages,” said Allison B. Reiss, M.D., Head, Inflammation Section of the Winthrop Research Institute, at NYU Winthrop Hospital. “As we look for better options for managing this growing health concern, I am excited to study Inspyr’s adenosine receptor agonists as a potential new treatment option.” Dr. Reiss will be working with a highly specialized interdisciplinary team of physicians and scientists including Dr. Joshua De Leon, Director of Cardiovascular Research, Dr. Steven Carsons, Director of Clinical and Translational Research, and Dr. Lora J. Kasselman, molecular and cellular biologist.
About Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a chronic, systemic disease where lipids and fibrous elements build up within the walls of arteries. This progressive disease, caused by a chronic inflammatory response, results in the formation atherosclerotic plaques composed of inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells, lipids, and connective tissue. Atherosclerotic plaques convert to stable or unstable fibrous plaques; unstable fibrous plaques can rupture leading to thrombosis, stenosis, and infarction. Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of cardiovascular disease and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States.
About Inspyr Therapeutics
Inspyr Therapeutics, Inc. is an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies to treat cancer, inflammation, and other serious diseases. Through a merger with Lewis and Clark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Inspyr has a proprietary, industry-leading adenosine receptor modulator (ARM) technology platform and a broad pipeline of novel therapies. The pipeline includes Mipsagargin, a pro-drug that has completed a Phase 2 study in patients with liver cancer, and the ARM preclinical programs consisting of A2A, A2B, and dual A2A/A2B antagonists for the treatment of cancer and A2A agonists for the treatment of inflammatory and other serious diseases. The Company has fully-equipped, state-of-the-art organic and analytical chemistry laboratories located in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a team of chemists and toxicologists have expertise in chemical synthesis and analysis, non-clinical dose formulation, plasma concentration analysis, assay development, and toxicology. For additional information on Inspyr Therapeutics, visit www.inspyrtx.com.
Inspyr’s Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This communication may contain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that statements in this document regarding potential applications of Inspyr's technologies or the future prospects of the company constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights and the acceptance of Inspyr’s proposed therapies by the health community. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties will be detailed from time to time in Inspyr's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.