* 90+% Tumor Size Reduction on Lung Cancer Cell Lines A549
and NCI-H1975
* 100+% Tumor Growth Delay on Lung Cancer Cell Lines A549
and NCI-H1975
BEVERLY, Mass., July 13, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellceutix Corporation (OTCBB:CTIX), today announced, it has successfully completed a series of animal model tests on two multi-drug resistant non-small-cell lung carcinoma human cell lines, A549 and NCI-H1975, using its proprietary pharmaceutical compound Kevetrin(tm). In each cell line, tumor volume was reduced by more than 90% and tumor growth was delayed by more than 100%. In addition, both the tumor volume reduction and the tumor growth delay were greater in each cell line with Kevetrin than with paclitaxel (brand name Taxol(r)) (p<0.01). Each experiment was repeated in order to increase the level of confidence in the results. The results in the repeated experiments were similar to those in the initial tests.
Dr. Krishna Menon, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Cellceutix stated: "These results suggest promising development potential for Kevetrin considering that current treatment options for these multi-drug resistant cell lines are limited in their effectiveness. Not since my work on Alimta(r) and Gemzar(r) at Lilly have I been this excited about a compound."
Lung cancer accounts for more than 1,200,000 new cases annually worldwide (215,000 in the U.S.) making it one of the most serious public health problems in industrialized countries. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of all bronchogenic neoplasms with 90% of diagnosed patients dying within five years. Lung cancer is the single largest cause of cancer death in the United States (U.S.) accounting for more than 130,000 deaths each year.
"We knew Kevetrin showed good activity in animal and cell-based tests on a number of tumor cell lines but this indicates development potential for Kevetrin in lung cancer, an area where the medical need is great," said Mr. George Evans, CEO of the Company. "This has created great excitement at Cellceutix."
In the experiments, nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with human tumor cells. Groups of 10 mice bearing A549 or NCI-H1975 tumors were treated with Kevetrin or paclitaxel alone or acted as controls. Neither Kevetrin nor paclitaxel produced significant weight loss in the study subjects.
In the NCI-H1975 tumors, Kevetrin significantly delayed tumor growth an average of 28 days (156%) compared to controls and 14 additional days when compared to the paclitaxel treated mice. When measured at day 25, Kevetrin significantly reduced tumor volumes an average of 2,827 mm(3) (91%) compared to controls, while paclitaxel reduced tumor volumes an average of 2,535 mm(3) (82%) compared to controls.
In the A549 tumors, Kevetrin significantly delayed tumor growth an average of 30 days (111%) compared to controls and 27 additional days when compared to the paclitaxel treated mice. When measured at day 33, Kevetrin significantly reduced tumor volumes an average of 2,138 mm(3) (97%) compared to controls, while paclitaxel reduced tumor volumes an average of 53 mm(3) (2%).
Please visit the Cellceutix web site at www.cellceutix.com for more information about these experiments.
Cellceutix's management will be hosting a conference call to discuss its Lung Cancer Animal Model Test Results. The call is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 13, 2009, and is expected to last approximately 30-45 minutes. The dial-in number from within the United States is 888-350-0075. For international callers, the dial-in number is 888-350-0075. Skype participants may dial-in at +9900827042860868. Once you have dialed-in, you will be asked for the conference room number. Please type in 2860868#.
A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on July 14, 2009 on our Company's website in the investor relations section.
Cellceutix Corporation is a preclinical cancer and anti-inflammatory drug developer. Cellceutix owns the rights to six drug compounds, including Kevetrin which it is developing as a treatment for certain cancers, and KM-133, which it is developing for the treatment of psoriasis. More information is available on the Cellceutix web site at www.cellceutix.com.
This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions about the industry and markets in which Cellceutix Corporation operates. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Cellceutix's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these statements. Actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in these statements, and no assurance can be given that Cellceutix can successfully implement its core business strategy and improve future earnings.
The factors that may cause Cellceutix's actual results to differ from its forward-looking statements include: Cellceutix's current critical need for additional cash to sustain existing operations and meet ongoing existing obligations and capital requirements; Cellceutix's ability to implement its new product development and commercialization, enter into clinical trials, expand the intellectual property portfolio, and receive regulatory approvals in a timely and cost-effective manner. All forward-looking statements are also expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in Cellceutix's SEC filings, including its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10-K.
The results reported in this press release have not been subject to review by people outside Cellceutix. In the test animals, Kevetrin did not cure the cancer but only delayed its progression. When therapy was stopped, the tumors eventually began growing again. Kevetrin has not been studied in humans. Positive results in animal studies do not necessarily predict success in human trials.