total remission of mesothelioma in mice

SOLBEC
PHARMACEUTICALS LTD
SOLBEC CANCER DRUG INDUCES TOTAL REMISSION OF MESOTHELIOMA IN MICE

Summary:

• Solbec's lead compound Coramsine™ brought about total remission of malignant
mesothelioma in mice when combined with immunotherapy

• Cured animals were resistant to re-induction of the cancer

Perth, Australia. 23 November 2004. Solbec Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:SBP) today announced that its cancer drug, Coramsine™, is effective in both treating, and from preliminary results, preventing, mesothelioma in a mouse model of the cancer.
Treatment with Coramsine™ in combination with the immune triggering compound, CpG, gave total remission of the mesothelioma. This was a much greater response than that seen with either agent on its own. The combination therapy was used to maximize the immunological effect of Coramsine™.

The Coramsine™ - CpG combination therapy potentially has the added effect of stimulating lasting immunity against the cancer as attempts to cause tumour formation in a treated, 'cured' mouse failed.

The aim of the study, which confirms and extends earlier findings conducted by Solbec, was to learn how Coramsine™ primes the immune system and whether it could bring about long term remission of mesothelioma.

Further research will set out to confirm these findings. The study was conducted by the Tumour Immunology Group at the University of Western Australia.

"If this finding is replicated in patients with mesothelioma or other cancers, we believe that Coramsine™ could play an important role in clinical management of malignancy," said Solbec's Professor John Papadimitriou.

Coramsine™ has previously been shown to satisfy the three main criteria for immunological activity in destroying mesothelioma tissue, increasing the antigens from the tumour (which are recognized by the immune system) and maintaining high levels of immune cells.

"The results go a long way toward confirming that Coramsine™ causes an immune response to cancer. The proof will come by trialling combination therapy in humans," said Stephen Carter, Solbec's managing director.

Mesothelioma is malignant growth arising from cells lining the patient's body cavities such as chest, abdominal region or the tissue surrounding the heart. It is typically associated with
exposure to asbestos, which has been documented in as many as 70-80% of all mesothelioma cases.

The study formed part of a program, funded by Solbec with support from the Australian Government's Biotechnology Innovation Fund.

Further information:

Coramsine™ contains two compounds extracted from a plant known as the Devil's Apple and is undergoing parallel development for the treatment of psoriasis and cancers such as mesothelioma and melanoma. It acts by binding to a receptor on cancer cells and causing death of the cells. Our research suggests that the action and mechanism of Coramsine™ are unique. It is presumed to act on psoriasis skin lesions by inhibiting a cytokine, interleukin-6, associated with inflammation.
CpG

The term "CpG" refers to two bases normally found in DNA, cytosine and guanine, with phosphate in between. It has been shown that inclusion of the CpG sequence in a small piece of synthetic DNA stimulates the immune response. Such sequences are normally found in bacterial DNA.

About Solbec

Solbec Pharmaceuticals Ltd identifies naturally-occurring compounds with potential in the development of better therapies for debilitating conditions and life-threatening diseases. The company is currently progressing its key project, Coramsine™, through Phase MIA clinical trials for the treatment of mesothelioma and malignant melanoma, and as a topical treatment for psoriasis. Solbec's two proprietary ingredients in Coramsine™ were isolated from the fruit of a weed known as the Devil's Apple (Solarium linnaeanum).

They show activity against some cancers and cause potentially therapeutic changes to the immune system. In addition to human health, Coramsine™ has potential application in the areas of animal health and diagnostics. Solbec's business strategy is to partner or out-license Coramsine™ for the final stages of pre-commercial development and marketing.

See www.solbec.com.au

For further information, please contact
Stephen Carter Managing Director Solbec Pharmaceuticals Ltd Phone+61 (08) 944 67555
Media:
Rebecca Christie
Phone: +61 (02) 9293 2836 / 0417 382 391
[email protected]

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This is a very big announcement, just look at the grief that James Hardie Industries are going through, not to mention the poor people who have contracted this insidious disease.

It is estatimated that this disease will not peak until another 30 years.

Until now there has been no known cure, or anything close to it.

Wait till the papers get hold of this tomorrow.

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I hold SBP