On May 2, 2023 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory, cancer and liver diseases, reported that it discovered the mechanism of action (MOA) involved with the significant anti-cancer effect of Namodenoson in pancreatic carcinoma (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, MAY 2, 2023, View Source [SID1234630830]). Namodenoson de-regulates the Wnt signal transduction pathway, a key modulator of pancreatic carcinoma cell growth.
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The discovery was made when analyzing results from pre-clinical studies conducted on advanced pancreatic carcinoma patient cells exposed to Namodenoson, which had a significant anti-cancer effect. This is the same MOA at work for Namodenoson in liver cancer.
Namodenoson is currently under a pivotal Phase III study for the treatment of advanced liver cancer and has completely cleared cancer in an advanced liver cancer patient who remains cancer-free 6 years after starting treatment.
"Knowing Namodenoson’s mechanism of action in pancreatic cancer is an important step in moving this indication toward potential partnerships. Our findings inform potential dosage and study design and increase the probability of success in human trials," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman.
The highest incidence rates for pancreatic cancer are in Asia, Europe, and North America. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), in 2020, an estimated 496,000 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer globally and an estimated 466,000 died from the disease. The 5-year survival rate for people with pancreatic cancer in the U.S. is 11%. Acumen Research estimates the global pancreatic cancer therapeutics market was valued at approximately $3.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to approximately $6.6 billion by 2030.
About Namodenoson
Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson was evaluated in Phase II trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, and as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug.