Verastem to Present Scientific Results at the 2013 AACR Annual Meeting
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Verastem, Inc., (NAS: VSTM) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer stem cells, announced the presentation of preclinical data at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting being held April 6 – 10, 2013, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
Verastem will present data on its programs targeting cancer stem cells through inhibition of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK; VS-6063 and VS-4718) and PI3K/mTOR (VS-5584) signaling pathways. Research on the FAK and PI3K/mTOR signaling pathways has revealed critical roles for each in cancer stem cell survival and disease progression.
Verastem will also present results from preclinical studies of patient-derived xenograft models in these programs and on the development of biomarkers for companion diagnostic tests to identify cancer stem cells and aid in patient selection.
The research presented is in support of multiple current and upcoming clinical trials. Verastem is currently conducting a Phase 1/1b trial of lead FAK inhibitor, VS-6063, in combination with paclitaxel for ovarian cancer. A potentially pivotal trial of VS-6063 in mesothelioma is scheduled to start midyear 2013. Verastem is also planning Phase 1 clinical trials of FAK inhibitor VS-4718 in the first half of 2013 and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS-5584 in the second half of 2013 for patients with advanced cancers.
The schedule for the Verastem poster presentations is as follows:
Date & Time: Sunday, April 7, 2013, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET
Poster Title: FAK inhibition preferentially attenuates growth of Merlin-negative malignant mesotheliomas: role of cancer stem cells
Abstract Number: 924
Session ID: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics 3
Location: Hall A-C, Poster Section 38
Date & Time: Sunday, April 7, 2013, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET
Poster Title: The dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS-5584 preferentially targets cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo
Abstract Number: 239
Session ID: Tumor Biology 2
Location: Hall A-C, Poster Section 13
Date & Time: Sunday, April 7, 2013, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET
Poster Title: Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of FAK attenuates cancer stem cell function in vitro and in vivo
Abstract Number: 236
Session ID: Tumor Biology 2
Location: Hall A-C, Poster Section 13
…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance