CELSION CORPORATION (AMEX:CLN) today reported that it had received positive indications from its collaborators that docetaxel entrapped in its temperature sensitive liposome demonstrates improved anti-tumor effect in vivo. Mice with xenographic lung cell tumors were treated with free docetaxel, non temperature sensitive liposomes containing docetaxel and temperature sensitive liposomes containing docetaxel in the presence of heat. Following treatment the reduction in tumor volume was measured. Results indicate that the reduction generated by the heat activated liposomal formulation was statistically superior to both the free docetaxel and the non temperature sensitive liposome formulation. Based on these results, the company has expanded its research efforts in this area including confirmational studies of the initial results.
Mr. Michael Tardugno, Celsion’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “This demonstration of improved activity of a second chemotherapeutic drug in our proprietary platform confirms our belief that the future of our heat activated delivery technology is very exciting. Over the next 12 months we expect to encapsulate other chemotherapeutic agents and hope to see similar results. We continue to be encouraged that our heat sensitive liposome is sound and will be the platform on which we can build a pipeline of chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancers where patients have few other options. We are convinced that as our heat activated delivery technology platform allows localized delivery of high concentrations of chemotherapy in short time intervals it will be effective in treating solid tumors.”
Mr. Tardugno added, “In the meantime we remain focused and are committed to delivering timely clinical results and regulatory approval for our drug in development, ThermoDox®, for the treatment of primary liver cancer and recurrent breast cancer at the chest wall.”
ThermoDox is Celsion’s proprietary heat-sensitive liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin, an approved and frequently used anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of various cancers including breast cancer. Localized mild hyperthermia (40-42oC) releases the entrapped doxorubicin from the liposome. This delivery technology enables high concentrations of doxorubicin to be deposited preferentially in a targeted tumor.
About Celsion: Celsion is dedicated to the development and commercialization of oncology drugs including tumor-targeting treatments using focused heat energy in combination with heat activated drug delivery systems.
Celsion has research, license or commercialization agreements with leading institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, Duke University Medical Center, University of Hong Kong, Cleveland Clinic, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System.
Celsion has also developed a microwave based system, the Prolieve Thermodilatation® system, for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia which is marketed in the United States under an exclusive distribution agreement with Boston Scientific Corporation. For more information on Celsion, visit our website: http://www.celsion.com.
Celsion wishes to inform readers that forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, unforeseen changes in the course of research and development activities and in clinical trials by others; possible acquisitions of other technologies, assets or businesses; possible actions by customers, suppliers, competitors, regulatory authorities; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.