Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC) is trading higher after initiating a new collaborative research project with the University of North Carolina aimed at uncovering at the molecular level how Zantrene® protects the heart from chemotherapy.
Led by distinguished cardiologist-scientist and cardio-oncology key opinion leader (KOL) Dr Brian Jensen, the study aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of how Zantrene can mitigate the cardiotoxicity of the current standard of care chemotherapies will aid the selection of optimal dosing in the clinic.
The project is expected to take 12 months to complete with a budget cost of around US$101.2 million.
Investors have responded positively to the development with RAC shares as much as 4.19% on the ASX intraday to A$2.24 while the company's market cap is approximately A$358.11 million.
World leader in Cardio-Oncology
Race chief scientific officer Dr Daniel Tillett said: “Race is extremely pleased to be working with Dr Jensen and his world-leading cardio-oncology research group.
“Discovering how Zantrene protects the heart from the highly effective, but cardiotoxic, drugs like doxorubicin are critical for our aims of using its cardioprotective effects in the clinic.”
Cardioprotective effects
Race’s Zantrene can protect human heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) from anthracycline-induced cell death.
Zantrene is also able to synergise with anthracyclines to better kill breast cancer cells, making it the first reported chemotherapeutic agent to show both anticancer and cardioprotective effects.
Importantly, Race confirmed that the cardioprotective effects seen in cells translated to significant protection of mouse hearts in an established model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Based on these preclinical findings, Race is planning on undertaking observational and interventional Phase 1/2b clinical trials of Zantrene in breast cancer patients treated with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC therapy).
Dr Jensen said: “Understanding how therapeutics like bisantrene [Zantrene] work at the molecular level can provide crucial insights into their efficacy and potential side effects.
“Such investigations will enable us to develop more targeted treatments that both improve cancer outcomes and minimize cardiovascular risk.
“I am honoured to be part of this effort, working alongside the Race team and other collaborators, to better understand the pharmacology of bisantrene and to pave the way toward new cardioprotective therapies.”
What are Anthracyclines?
Anthracyclines are some of the most effective anti-cancer treatments and are used more broadly than any other class of chemotherapeutic agent.
These drugs are used to treat millions of cancer patients every year, including those with leukaemias, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, kidney, liver, stomach, uterine, thyroid, ovarian, sarcoma, bladder, lung and breast cancers. Clinically, the most important anthracyclines are doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin and idarubicin.
Although they are highly effective anti-cancer drugs, anthracyclines cause serious and permanent damage to the heart in many patients.
Race CEO Damian Clarke-Bruce said: "Deeply understanding the cardioprotective mechanism of action of Zantrene is a critical aspect of our pharma partnering discussions.
"The preclinical discovery that Zantrene in combination with chemotherapy can protect the heart while better-treating cancer has the potential to significantly change the standard of care cancer treatment and have a meaningful impact on the lives of patients.”