ANGLE PLC (AIM:AGL, OTCQX:ANPCY), in a press release, highlighted that its technology – the Parsortix system - played a key role in breakthrough cancer research conducted by ETH Zurich’s Professor Nicola Aceto.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, focused on using the FDA-approved drug digoxin to target clusters of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in metastatic breast cancer patients.
The Parsortix system was employed to identify patients with highly metastatic CTC clusters, enabling researchers to focus treatment on those most likely to benefit.
The trial achieved its primary endpoint with a significant reduction in CTC cluster size.
Angle told investors that it is anticipated that the Parsortix system will play a crucial role in the pre-clinical and clinical development of these compounds.
"We are delighted to report on this first-in-class treatment approach reported by the Aceto Lab which has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of metastatic disease and improve patient outcomes,” Angle chief scientific officer Karen Miller said in the statement.
“Given its unique design and ability to capture CTC clusters, we anticipate that the Parsortix system will be a crucial component for the development of drugs targeting the metastatic cascade by facilitating the selection of patients who are most likely to respond to treatment and allow continuous monitoring to determine the pharmacodynamic effects of the drugs.
“Alongside our ongoing collaboration with ETH Zurich, we look forward to working with PAGE Therapeutics to support their development drugs targeting metastatic spread."
Professor Nicola Aceto, ETH Zurich, added: “Given that the spread of cancer accounts for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths, the effective prevention and suppression of metastasis is an elusive goal for clinicians worldwide.
“Standard-of-care treatments are typically developed based on their cytotoxic activity and are not necessarily designed to interfere with metastasis-relevant mechanisms.
“Consequently, there is an uncharted opportunity for the development of targeted agents that disrupt the causes of metastasis themselves.
“While clinical outcomes were not assessed in this proof-of-concept study, the trial provides first-in-class evidence that supports the development of novel treatments targeting the metastatic process."