- Race Oncology (RAC) has shown once again that a combination of bisantrene with other chemodrugs leads to a more successful cancer plan for patients
- A wide range of human cancer cell lines were tested with combined dosages with 113 of 143 showing high cancer cell death
- The company has carried out similar studies before and is now working towards ascertaining the optimal dosage range
- In test mice, the drug has also helped protect the heart against risks associated with chemodrugs
- Shares last traded at 86.5 cents
Race Oncology (RAC) has announced successful test results of its Bisantrene anti-cancer medication showing broad “anti-cancer activity” in 143 human cancer cell samples.
The ultimate bottom line of the research does not suggest that Bisantrene is itself a ‘wonder drug.’ Instead, bisantrene appears to improve the efficacy of a third-party chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin, one of the world’s most common.
Bisantrene, at low concentrations, improved the latter drug’s ability to kill isolated cancer cells kept alive in a laboratory.
The 143 human cancer cell lines represented 15 distinct cancer types, the company reported, and cancer was killed better with a combination of both drugs rather than just doxorubicin alone.
The company has previously found the same for breast cancer cells in particular, where bisantrene also improved the efficacy of cyclophosphamide. Race has also found, at least once, that bisantrene appears to protect the hearts of test mice from the anthracycline class of anti-cancer drugs.
Of the human cancer cell lines tested, 113 did a bisantrene combination appear superior. Both blood cancers and solid cancers were included in the overall sample tranche.
The company will now continue to advance similar studies, tweaking variables where uncertainties lie.
The company’s flagship goal is to establish an optimal dose range. Race is also seeking to get this latest study published in a high-impact scientific journal, as well as seeking other expert advice.
“What is interesting from these recent studies is the remarkable breadth of its activity, where bisantrene was shown to kill a wide range of cancer cells, representing tumours from many human tissues,” Race Executive Director Dr Pete Smith said.
“Due to its history, plus a wealth of published pre-clinical and clinical data, bisantrene has long been known to be an active anti-cancer drug.
“The strength of bisantrene’s performance with doxorubicin, a standard of care chemotherapy drug, is particularly exciting as it informs our clinical development plans and bolsters confidence that combining other cancer drugs with bisantrene will produce positive results for patients.”
RAC shares last traded at 86.5 cents.