Nanotechnology Delivers a Two-Punch Combination With Big Potential for Patients With Rare Cancers

Researchers at the Endocrine Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reported in the latest edition of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) that they were able to safely and effectively deliver a next-generation nanomedicine to mice with metastatic thyroid cancers and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs).

The nanomedicine, CYT-21625, created as a collaboration between Dr. David Kingston of the University of Virginia and CytImmune Sciences Inc., is notable because it selectively targets solid tumors and delivers two complimentary anti-cancer agents on the same nanoparticle with less toxicity to patients.

"We already knew that our 1^st generation nanomedicines could deliver high doses of the otherwise toxic Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNFα), which effectively cracks open solid tumors,"said Dr. Larry Tamarkin, CEO of CytImmune. "This study demonstrates that CYT-21625, one of our 2^nd generation nanomedicines, not only can deliver TNFα, but can increase the efficacy of cancer killing agents like paclitaxel by carrying them safely into cancerous tumors -- all on the same nanoparticle."

Researchers at the NCI found that CYT-21625 outperformed the FDA-approved drug paclitaxel in each of the three mouse models tested during the study. Performance was determined by overall survival as well as by direct measurements of pre-determined biological markers specific to each cancer and model being tested. Two of the cancers involved in the study are rare cancers with very poor prognosis. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has a 5-year survival rate of less than 5% according to the Columbia Surgery Center. PNETs, the cancer from which Steve Jobs died, has a 5-year survival rate of 16% in patients who are unable to have their cancer removed by surgery.

"We believe this technology offers a clear path forward to making cancer treatments more effective and less toxic to patients, and we look forward to working with our partners, including scientists, doctors and patient advocates, to prove the potential of this technology in human clinical trials," added David Oarr, CytImmune's Chief Communications Officer.

The JNCI publication concludes:

"CYT-21625 is effective in mice with PNETs [Pancreatic Neuro-Endocrine Tumors] and metastatic human thyroid cancer with no toxicities. Thus, CYT-21625 should be studied in patients with advanced PNETs and thyroid cancer."

About Cytimmune Sciences, Inc.

CytImmune Sciences Inc., is an inventor and leader in the field of therapeutic cancer nanomedicines. The company has successfully completed a Phase I clinical trial at the NCI of its first-generation nanomedicine, CYT-6091, and expects to begin a Phase II clinical trial in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma within the next year. 

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements that may be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "may," "plan," "potential," "will," "preliminary," and similar expressions, and are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and CytImmune cautions against placing undue reliance on such statements. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

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