Adherex says study shows ADH-1 may treat several cancer types

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Nov. 8 - Adherex Technologies Inc. announced Tuesday that data from its ADH-1 compound study demonstrates that the tumors of several cancers expressed N-cadherin, the target for ADH-1, and thus may be susceptible to ADH-1's anti-tumor activity.

The study included more than 700 tumor samples to define the prevalence of the molecular marker N-cadherin among various tumor types. The research, which is ongoing, shows that among the tumors examined, 100% of liver cancers, 95% of esophageal cancers, 83% of colon cancers, 79% of kidney cancers and 58% of lung cancers expressed N-cadherin, possibly making them a target for ADH-1's anti-tumor activity, company officials said in a news release.

"These data provide some useful parameters for estimating the market potential of ADH-1. Given the expression pattern of N-cadherin, ADH-1 could potentially be active in a number of cancers," William P. Peters, chairman and chief executive officer, said in the release.

Peters said the data also helps the company select patients to include in clinical studies, which enhances the probability of useful outcomes.

ADH-1, the company's lead biotechnology compound, selectively targets N-cadherin, a protein present on certain tumor cells and established blood vessels that feed solid tumors.

The data was presented Tuesday at the Rodman and Renshaw Techvest 7th Annual Healthcare Conference and also concurrently at BIOEurope 2005 in Dresden, Germany, officials said.

Research Triangle Park, N.C.-based Adherex is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel cancer therapeutics.

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