For Immediate Release
April 21, 2009

BUFFALO, NY – A new combination of cancer drugs that targets protein pathways demonstrates synergy in preclinical studies at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). The research, led by Chunrong Yu, PhD, and Alex A. Adjei, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine, RPCI, will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 100th Annual Meeting 2009, April 18 - 22 in Denver, CO.

Preclinical studies at Roswell Park examined the underlying mechanisms of the multiple pathways and networks leading to cell division in tumor cells. When one pathway is inhibited, tumor cells activate others as compensation to ensure cell survival. A single anti-cancer agent may trigger a single or multiple alternative survival pathways in the tumor cells, limiting its anti-cancer activity. Combined treatment regimens can maximize response and improve patient outcomes

RPCI scientists explored the underlying network of tumors and observed that the combination of sorafenib, an anticancer agent approved for the therapy of kidney and liver cancers, and RDEA119, a molecular targeted inhibitor, led to enhanced killing of a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines and primary tumors such as lung, liver, colon, brain, pancreas, bone and blood (leukemia).

“Life is in a balance between cell death and cell survival signals. The strategy for cancer treatment is to trigger more cell-death signals, and to block more cell survival signals, leading cancer cells to death,” said Dr. Yu. Dr. Adjei added, “These results provide strong supporting evidence for the use of this combination of agents in early-stage clinical studies.”

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and in China. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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