Panavance Therapeutics Publishes Misetionamide Study in Cancer Medicine

Panavance Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Berwyn, PA, has announced the publication of promising data in the peer-reviewed journal, Cancer Medicine. The study, titled "Mechanism and Rational Combinations with GP-2250, a Novel Oxathiazine Derivative, in Ovarian Cancer," showcases the significant therapeutic potential of misetionamide in treating ovarian cancer.

Misetionamide, a tumor cell-selective small molecule, has shown broad activity across multiple cancer models. It works by inhibiting critical enzymes involved in aerobic glycolysis, such as hexokinase-2 (HK-2), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PVD), which are essential for ATP production in cancer cells. This inhibition induces oxidative, metabolic, and hypoxic stresses within the cancer cells. Furthermore, misetionamide hampers the activity of key transcription factors like NFkB, further impairing the cancer cells' ability to express genes necessary for their survival and proliferation.

In preclinical studies, misetionamide demonstrated impressive single-agent efficacy and synergistic activity when combined with either PARP inhibitors (PARPi) or bevacizumab. The drug's anti-angiogenic properties enhance its effectiveness when used alongside bevacizumab, an anti-cancer medication. These findings suggest that misetionamide, whether used alone or in combination with PARPi or bevacizumab, holds significant promise as a new treatment option for ovarian cancer.

Anil Sood, MD, from the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, highlighted the profound antitumor effects of misetionamide. He emphasized the need for further studies to explore its potential as a new antitumor drug for ovarian cancers. Robert L. Coleman, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Texas Oncology, echoed these sentiments, pointing out the innovative metabolic and transcription inhibition mechanisms of misetionamide, which may offer a promising new therapeutic approach for ovarian cancer patients.

Panavance Therapeutics is planning to initiate clinical trials to further investigate misetionamide's potential. The company recently had a pre-IND meeting with the FDA to discuss their clinical and regulatory plans for ovarian cancer. They aim to pursue a Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept study in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Given the high unmet need in this area, with approximately 20,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the US alone, Panavance is committed to developing new treatment options for these patients.

Misetionamide's unique dual mechanism of action, which selectively disrupts the energy metabolism of cancer cells and impacts NFkB for protein synthesis and DNA transcription, leads to the death of cancer cells while restricting their growth and proliferation. The company plans to initiate two clinical studies: one for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and another as a first-line maintenance therapy for non-BRCA mutated pancreatic cancer patients. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of misetionamide to be effective in other tumor types, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Panavance Therapeutics Inc. was formed in 2021 as a wholly-owned carve-out of the Geistlich group, a Swiss company, to focus on the development of misetionamide and other oncology treatments. The company is dedicated to advancing novel oncology therapeutics to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.