On May 2, 2017 GlycoMimetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLYC) reported the publication of results from a preclinical study that showed its drug candidate GMI-1271, an E-selectin antagonist, was able to restore sensitivity to bortezomib (the frontline standard of care for patients with multiple myeloma) in animal models of disease (Press release, GlycoMimetics, MAY 2, 2017, View Source [SID1234518798]). The study, entitled "E-selectin Ligands Recognised by HECA452 Induce Drug Resistance in Myeloma, which is Overcome by the E-selectin Antagonist, GMI-1271," was published in an online preview of the journal Leukemia on April 25, 2017. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! E-selectin ligands are recognized by an antibody known as HECA452. In this manuscript, researchers described that E-selectin ligands expressed on myeloma cell surfaces and recognized by HECA452 induced a more aggressive form of multiple myeloma, which is insensitive to bortezomib. Through use of GMI-1271, sensitivity to the proteasome inhibitor therapy, bortezomib, was able to be restored in this highly resistant myeloma model.
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"The results in this preclinical study demonstrate that targeting E-selectin may provide a novel approach to treatment of patients with multiple myeloma and could potentially restore sensitivity to chemotherapy and, in particular, proteasome inhibitor therapy," said John L. Magnani, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of GlycoMimetics.
GlycoMimetics is currently sponsoring a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in Europe in which patients whose multiple myeloma disease is resistant to bortezomib or carfilizomib can have GMI-1271 added to their treatment regimen to test whether sensitivity to the proteasome inhibitor can be restored. GMI-1271 is also currently being tested in a Phase 1/2 trial in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). GMI recently announced that updated data from this AML trial will be presented at the 2017 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. As part of this AML trial, researchers are testing patient samples to determine whether levels of E-selectin ligand as measured by HECA452 correlate with response to treatment with GMI-1271.
"We look forward to presenting an update on our AML clinical trial at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and to sharing what is known so far about E-selectin ligand expression in the context of that trial," said Helen Thackray, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of GlycoMimetics.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable form of blood cancer where the plasma cells in the bone marrow grow uncontrollably and may not function well while other blood forming cells (e.g., white/red blood cells and blood platelets) are suppressed. Normal plasma cells are an important part of the body’s immune defense and play a critical role in the production of antibodies. Multiple myeloma can therefore lead to infections, anemia, destruction of bone tissue and kidney problems. While some advances have been made in treatment, there remains a large unmet medical need for patients with multiple myeloma.
About GMI-1271
GMI-1271 is designed to block E-selectin (an adhesion molecule on cells in the bone marrow) from binding with blood cancer cells as a targeted approach to disrupting well-established mechanisms of leukemic cell resistance within the bone marrow microenvironment. Preclinical research points to the drug’s potential role in blocking E-selectin-mediated chemo-resistance pathways as well as moving cancerous cells out of the protective environment of the bone marrow where they hide and escape the effects of chemotherapy.