* Breast Cancer is 2nd Highest Cause of Cancer Deaths in Women * 62+% Tumor Growth Delay vs. paclitaxel, 52% vs. cisplatin, in Animal Models * 79+% Tumor Volume Reduction vs. paclitaxel, 72% vs. cisplatin, in Animal Models
BEVERLY, Mass., Sept. 21, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellceutix Corporation (OTCBB:CTIX) today announced it has successfully completed animal model tests on a taxane-resistant, estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer human cell line, MDA-MB-435s, using its proprietary pharmaceutical compound Kevetrin(TM). Tumor volume was reduced by 72% and tumor growth was delayed by more than 52% with Kevetrin when compared with paclitaxel (Taxol) (p<0.01) or with cisplatin (p<0.01). The experiment was repeated in order to increase the level of confidence in the results, though cisplatin was not included in the repeat experiment. The results in the repeated experiment were similar to that in the initial test.
In the experiments, nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with human tumor cells. Groups of 10 mice bearing MDA-MB-435s tumors were treated with Kevetrin, paclitaxel or cisplatin alone or acted as controls. Kevetrin, paclitaxel and cisplatin did not produce significant weight loss in the study subjects.
"These results are very consistent with the results in multi-drug resistant lung cancer cell lines that we announced in July," said Dr. Krishna Menon, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Cellceutix. "We've also found that they show a consistent pattern with some of our earlier experiments where Kevetrin showed tumor growth delay of 43% compared to controls and paclitaxel when tested on animals with HCT-15 P-glycoprotein drug resistant colon cancer."
Please visit the Cellceutix web site at www.cellceutix.com for more information about the breast cancer and colon cancer experiments discussed in this release as well as the recently announced experiments in drug resistant lung cancer cell lines.
"In in-vivo testing, Kevetrin continues to demonstrate consistent success in fighting drug resistant cancers, the leading cause of chemotherapy failure," said Mr. George Evans, CEO of the Company. Mr. Evans continued: "We are optimistic that Kevetrin will continue to progress on the developmental pathway as a treatment for these very difficult cancers."
About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause (lung cancer is 1st) of cancer deaths in women today. It is estimated that 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually and upwards of 465,000 will die from the disease (worldwide). Although breast cancer death rates have been steadily decreasing with earlier detection and better treatments, about 40,910 breast cancer deaths are expected in 2009 in the US (American Cancer Society data).
In 2005 (the most recent year numbers are available),
* 186,467 women and 1,764 men were diagnosed with breast cancer. * 41,116 women and 375 men died from breast cancer.
For more information, visit:
* American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Facts & Figures: http://www.cancer.org/ * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Cancer Data: http://www.cdc.gov/ * SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1973-2004 (National Cancer Institute): http://seer.cancer.gov/ * International Agency for Research on Cancer: http://www-dep.iarc.fr/
About Cellceutix
Cellceutix Corporation is a preclinical cancer and anti-inflammatory drug developer. Cellceutix owns the rights to seven 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. To be added to the Cellceutix investor email list, please email news@cellceutix.com with CTIX in the subject line.
The Cellceutix Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6397
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 of these studies have not been reviewed by people outside Cellceutix. Kevetrin has not cured cancer in the thousands of test animals to date but has significantly delayed cancer's progression. When drug therapy was stopped, the growth delayed, volume reduced tumors eventually began growing again. Kevetrin has not been studied in humans at this time. The Company's positive results in animal studies do not necessarily guarantee success in humans, though they may form the basis for beginning Phase 1 trials.