Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REXN)

[decouverte d Elbe]

Rexahn Pharma Offers Publication of Preclinical Data for RX-5902 Showing Mechanism of Action
9:07a ET February 9, 2015 (Benzinga) Print


Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(NYSE: RNN), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing
best-in-class therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, today announced the
release of an online publication describing preclinical results for Supinoxin™
(RX-5902) in the peer reviewed medical journal, Journal of Cellular
Biochemistry, in an article titled, "A Novel Anti-Cancer Agent,
1-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[(6-fluoro-2-methoxyquinoxalin-3-yl)aminocarbonyl]
piperazine (RX-5902), Interferes with ß-Catenin Function through Y593
phospho-p68 RNA Helicase." The article was coauthored by Dr. Zhi-Ren Liu of
the Department of Biology, at Georgia State University, and Rexahn scientists.

In this study, Supinoxin was shown to directly bind to phosphorylated p68 and
inhibit ß-catenin dependent ATPase activity resulting in a decrease in
expression of a number of cancer related downstream genes (oncogenes) such as
c-Myc, cyclin-D1 and p-cJun. The expression of these oncogenes is a key step
in the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. The ability of Supinoxin to
disrupt the ß-catenin/phosphorylated p68/oncogene pathway represents a novel
mechanism for the inhibition of growth of human cancer cells.

Dr. Zhi-Ren Liu of the Department of Biology, Georgia State University and
coauthor of this study, commented, "The ability of Supinoxin to directly bind
to P-p68 and abolish the effects of P-p68 in upregulation of these oncogenes
is very exciting. This novel pathway holds great promise for treatment of
cancer patients."

Peter D. Suzdak, Ph.D., Rexahn's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The
specificity of this mechanism of action for cancer cells and the efficacy seen
in multiple preclinical models utilizing human cancer cells continues to
generate significant interest in Supinoxin. Once the current Phase I clinical
trial is complete, we will provide an update on the safety, tolerability,
dose-limiting toxicities, maximal tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics and
preliminary anti-tumor effects seen with Supinoxin."

© 2015 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.