Kancera strengthens its patent portfolio in cancer metabolism

11 January 2012

Stockholm, Sweden. Kancera has registered a patent application for novel compounds targeting the energy metabolism of cancer.

The new patent application covers a strategy to facilitate the uptake of substances in cancer cells. These synthetic molecules weaken the tumour by inhibiting the energy metabolism of cancer cells, thereby breaking the tumour resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, without harming healthy cells.

Kancera has been invited to present the project at the World Cancer Metabolism Summit, February 2012, in Washington, USA.

Kancera has previously reported that active substances against cancer energy metabolism significantly increase the sensitivity of cells derived from gastric cancer to cis-platin, a clinically proven chemotherapy that are widely used in the treatment of cancer. Kancera has during June and September 2011 registered two international patent applications (PCT/EP2011/060526 and PCT/EP2011/066250). The new patent application covers an additional new compound class of small synthetic molecules.

About the PFKFB3 project

Blocking the mechanisms that enable cancer cells to overcome periods of hypoxia (oxygen defiency), may pave the way for new treatment strategies. The project is based on a specific inhibition of the enzyme PFKFB3 resulting in decreased metabolism and cell growth in hypoxic cancer environments.

Inhibition of PFKFB3 is expected to starve and weaken the tumour cells by reducing its glycolysis and cell division. In this way one can overcome the current problems with tumour resistance to radiation and chemotherapy.

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