On October 29, 2019 NuCana plc (NASDAQ: NCNA) reported results from two of its clinical stage ProTides, NUC-3373 and NUC-7738, at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC AACR-NCI-EORTC (Free AACR-NCI-EORTC Whitepaper) International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (EORTC-NCI-AACR) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) in Boston, Massachusetts.

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NuCana presented interim data from the Phase Ib NuTide:302 study in patients with advanced colorectal cancer confirming the previously reported favorable pharmacokinetic profile of NUC-3373. The anti-cancer mechanism of action of NUC-3373 has been previously observed in non-clinical studies, which NuCana believes further supports the biological advantages of NUC-3373 over 5-FU. NUC-3373 is a ProTide transformation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), one of the most widely prescribed anti-cancer agents, and is currently being investigated in two clinical studies (NuTide:301 and NuTide:302).

Hugh S. Griffith, NuCana’s Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our aim is to replace 5-FU as the backbone of treatment for patients with colorectal cancer, so we are excited about these data. The next stage of NUC-3373’s development will investigate NUC-3373 in patients with advanced colorectal cancer in combination with oxaliplatin and irinotecan."

NUC-7738, NuCana’s third ProTide to enter the clinic, is a transformation of 3’-deoxyadenosine (3’-dA). Six patients have received NUC-7738 to date in the Phase I NuTide:701 study. In non-clinical studies of NUC-7738, NuCana has observed additional anti-cancer mechanisms of action to those previously reported for 3’dA. Significantly higher levels of anti-cancer metabolites are generated inside cancer cells than with 3’-dA, causing increased cell injury. Furthermore, the non-clinical data demonstrated that NUC-7738 activates AMPK, which may inhibit the mTOR pathway, resulting in further cancer cell death.

Mr. Griffith added: "Our early clinical experience with NUC-7738 has been encouraging and we look forward to sharing further data as the study progresses."

Details of NuCana’s poster presentations at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC are as follows:

Abstract Title: Inhibition of thymidylate synthase by the ProTide NUC-3373 (Abstract #CO59, Poster #59)

SESSION: Poster Session C: Therapeutic Agents- Other

DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 12:30 p.m. – 04:00 p.m. EDT

LOCATION: Level 2, Hall D

Abstract Title: NUC-7738, a novel ProTide transformation of 3’-deoxyadenosine, activates AMPK and kills renal cancer cells (Abstract #C122, Poster #122)

SESSION: Poster Session C: Tumor Suppressors

DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 12:30 p.m. – 04:00 p.m. EDT

LOCATION: Level 2, Hall D

Additional details can be found on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) website.