Noxopharm reports CRO-67 breakthrough in pancreatic cancer treatment

Australian biotech company Noxopharm (ASX: NOX) has announced encouraging new data regarding the development of its CRO-67 preclinical drug for pancreatic cancer.

The results arise from a study that tested CRO-67 in a complex model of human pancreatic cancer cells and barrier cells transplanted into the pancreas of mice.

The new data showed a significant decrease in tumour volume growth rates and barrier cells and a reduction in cancer spread.

Novel therapy

The study retained a more stringent approach than most pancreatic cancer studies as it involved growing a human pancreatic tumour and the barrier cells around the site of the tumour.

The method mimics the intricate tumour microenvironment in humans and the challenges presented in treating patients.

Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to treat because tumours are surrounded by a dense barrier of cells that protect them from traditional anti-cancer drugs and the body’s immune system.

CRO-67 targets pancreatic cancer in a different way to conventional drugs, acting as a novel dual-cell therapy that can destroy tumour and barrier cells.

Unmet need

Noxopharm chief executive officer Dr Gisela Mautner said the study proved CRO-67 could be a successful alternative to current therapies.

“It continues to have a dual-cell therapy effect in a variety of pancreatic cancer models, including this complex model where the bar is set much higher.”

“Pancreatic cancer has a very poor survival rate and there is clearly an unmet need to develop new treatments, either alone or in combination with existing treatments, to help alleviate patient suffering and save lives.”

UNSW collaboration

Noxopharm’s research is part of an ongoing collaboration with the pancreatic cancer team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and follows recent work showing that CRO-67 could significantly reduce tumour volume in vivo and slow the growth rate.

Lead investigator Professor Phoebe Phillips said the new data was encouraging for the drug’s development.

“We have now generated a substantial amount of data from a broad range of studies involving stringent scientific models and innovative research techniques,” she said.

“Further studies are warranted to identify next steps and build on what we have achieved so far.”