Kancera announces the discovery of a new class of compounds against cancer

Date: Dec-04-2013Kancera announces the discovery of a new class of compounds that inhibits the epigenetic
enzyme histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and thereby controls the activity of the cancer cell
genes. Severe side effects, due to poor selectivity, have limited the clinical use of HDAC
inhibitors in the treatment of cancer, despite their promising treatment efficacy. For this
reason, the pharmaceutical industry is now looking for HDAC inhibitors displaying a higher
level of selectivity within this family of enzymes. Kancera´s discovery of selective HDAC6
inhibitors may provide a solution to how physicians could take advantage of HDAC inhibitors
in the treatment of cancer without causing the patient severe side effects.

There are currently two HDAC inhibitors on the market for the treatment of various forms of Tcell lymphoma. These inhibitors are active against several members of the HDAC family of
enzymes leading to side effects including severe nausea and potentially an increased
cardiovascular risk. Selective inhibition of HDAC6 is expected to reduce these side effects,
while activity against cancer cells is maintained.

Kancera´s unexpected discovery of such selective HDAC6 inhibitors is the result of an
incidental finding made following an EU-funded project against epigenetic targets for the
treatment of parasitic diseases. Laboratory tests have shown that Kancera's inhibitors display
a higher level of selectivity against the HDAC6 enzyme as compared to a competing inhibitor,
ACY-1215. Kancera´s HDAC6 inhibitors have furthermore been shown to be able to kill
cancer cells in vitro.

ACY-1215, developed by the Boston-based company Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, is currently
in early clinical trials ( Phase 1b) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In July 2013 it was
announced that Celgene for a $100 million upfront cash payment received an option to
acquire Acetylon Pharmaceuticals with ACY -1215 as their main asset.

Kancera now intends to file patent applications for these inhibitors and to further evaluate the
potential of them in the treatment of cancer, including multiple myeloma.

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.