Cyclacel's CYC065 CDK Inhibitor Shows Therapeutic Potential In Acute Leukemias

(RTTNews) - Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CYCC, CYCCP) announced the presentation of preclinical data showing the therapeutic potential of CYC065, Cyclacel's second-generation cyclin dependent kinase or CDK inhibitor, to treat acute leukemias, and particularly those with rearrangements in the mixed lineage leukemia or MLL gene.

The results indicated that in vitro all human acute myelogenous leukemia or AML and acute lymphocytic leukemia or ALL cell lines with MLL rearrangements or MLLr tested were sensitive to CYC065 and that the drug inhibited MLL-driven gene expression. Potent anticancer activity of CYC065 was demonstrated in vivo in AML xenograft models resulting in more than 90% inhibition of tumor growth, according to the company.

President and Chief Executive stated: "MLL rearrangements identified in AML or ALL patients are associated with a poor prognosis. CYC065 works by targeting CDK enzymes which are key components of MLLr cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy. We are encouraged by the data reported, as they provide evidence that CYC065 has promising anticancer activity, especially in AML or ALL with MLL rearrangements, and that it can counter drug resistance mechanisms. CYC065 has completed IND-directed drug development and we look forward to advancing it into clinical trials."

The study assessed the anticancer activity of CYC065 in in vitro assays of human AML and ALL cell lines with normal and mutated MLL gene status, CYC065's mechanism of action and determinants of cellular sensitivity. CYC065 induced rapid apoptosis and inhibited MLL-driven transcription of genes involved in leukemia stem cell biology.