On September 22, 2016 Antibe Therapeutics Inc. ("Antibe") (TSXV: ATE, OTCQX: ATBPF), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical growth company, reported anti-cancer potential of its lead drug, ATB-346 (Press release, Antibe Therapeutics, SEP 22, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515305]). In a separate study earlier this year, ATB-346 was shown to be very effective in reversing colon and intestinal tumour growth in mice. Further to this study, a new publication has shown promising results in the chemoprevention and treatment of melanoma in mice. Melanoma is one of the most drug-resistant and invasive types of cancer, and both the incidence and mortality rates are increasing.

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"Although we remain focused on our ongoing human studies to advance ATB-346 as a treatment for pain and inflammation, we have compelling data from studies of colon cancer and now melanoma," commented John Wallace, Chief Scientific Officer of Antibe. "We are encouraged by these preliminary data and plan to continue this research in support of the potential advancement of ATB-346 into selected cancer indications."

In the new publication, Dr. Angela Ianaro’s laboratory at the University of Naples (Italy), in collaboration with Dr. Wallace, examined the possibility that ATB-346 may have greater beneficial effects in terms of reducing melanoma than naproxen, the most-prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ("NSAID") in the USA. NSAIDs have been shown to reduce tumour growth, but they also cause significant gastrointestinal bleeding. In contrast, ATB-346 has been shown to be GI-safe in animal studies.

The effects of ATB-346 were first compared to naproxen in an in vitro melanoma model, and was found to be much more effective. The investigators then implanted melanoma cells into mice, and monitored the growth of tumours. Treatment with naproxen had a modest beneficial effect, reducing tumour volume by 23% and tumour weight by 20%. In contrast, treatment with an equivalent dose of ATB-346 was 3-times more effective, reducing tumour volume by 69% and tumour weight by 61%. Mechanistic studies confirmed that ATB-346 was more effective in promoting death (apoptosis) of cancer cells.

The article was published online in the September issue of the journal "Pharmacological Research" and can be found at: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661816304467