Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC) has seen two of its peer-reviewed abstracts published in the prestigious scientific journal Cancer Research with shares trading higher as a result.
Both abstracts, published by research collaborators linked to Race’s Scientific Advisory Board member Professor Jianjun Chen, have further highlighted lead candidate and cancer drug Zantrene®’s potential as a targeted inhibitor of the fat mass and obesity protein (FTO) and as an anti-cancer agent.
Essentially, the first abstract demonstrates Zantrene’s ability to target FTO in the suppression of pancreatic cancer, while the second discusses how Zantrene could be used as an adjunctive treatment to 5-FU based chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients.
Resistance to 5-FU is a significant clinical issue, as this drug remains a backbone of colorectal cancer treatment.
Ultimately, the latest results add to Race’s own preclinical and clinical data, which indicate Zantrene’s potential in targeting FTO in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), melanoma and kidney cancer.
Investors have responded positively, sending RAC securities 10.89% higher to A$1.68 while the company's market cap is approximately A$263.14 million.
Growing interest in Zantrene
Race Oncology chief scientific officer Dr Daniel Tillett said: “This very promising research further highlights the emergence of Zantrene as an exquisitely potent inhibitor of FTO – one of the central genes in the proliferation of many cancers.
“We are excited to see interest and use of Zantrene build, thanks to the efforts of great researchers like our collaborator Professor Chen and his colleagues.”
Race believes the research, which explores Zantrene’s utility in the pancreatic and colorectal cancer spaces, complements its own findings that Zantrene can inhibit FTO in AML, melanoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma.