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February
1, 1999
Immunex痴 TRAIL Molecule
Shows Potential as Anti-Tumor Agent
SEATTLE, WA. February 1, 1999 /WiredBird/ Immunex Corporation
(NASDAQ:IMNX). A preclinical study published in the journal Nature
Medicine today demonstrated that TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing
ligand) suppresses tumor growth, and in some instances caused complete
remission of tumors, by a direct and specific mechanism. The work
described in the journal was conducted in mice by scientists at
Immunex Corporation.
In the study, groups of mice were injected with tumor cells from
a human breast cancer, or either of two different colon cancers.
Following two weeks of daily injections with TRAIL, complete remission
of all tumors was observed in a high proportion (70%-100%) of the
treated mice. In contrast, the tumors of the untreated control mice
grew progressively. Importantly, because of TRAIL痴 apparent specificity
in targeting tumor cells, normal tissues showed no observable adverse
effects.
"TRAIL is the first of a new generation of novel molecules
that directly and selectively induce apoptosis of tumor cells and
may have potential in the treatment of a wide variety of cancers,"
said David Lynch, Ph.D., senior staff scientist and senior author
of the manuscript. "We are particularly excited by the apparent
lack of toxicity shown in mouse studies with TRAIL to date."
Unlike most traditional chemotherapeutics, TRAIL is a naturally
occurring immune system protein that is a member of the tumor necrosis
factor (TNF) family. TRAIL binds to at least four distinct receptors
found on many tumor cells and signals these cells to destroy themselves
via a process known as apoptosis. Immunex scientists constructed
a soluble form of TRAIL that was found to stimulate tumor cell destruction.
"We are very pleased about the results of the study and have
promoted TRAIL to a high priority pre-development product,"
said Doug Williams, senior vice president, discovery research. "We
will continue to study TRAIL as an anti-tumor agent in a variety
of cancers."
Immunex is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing immune
system science to protect human health. The company's products are
targetted at treatment of patients with cancer, inflammatory and
infectious diseases.
American Home Products owns a majority interest in Immunex. AHP
is one of the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical and
health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery,
development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription drugs and
over-the-counter medications. It is also a global leader in vaccines,
biotechnology, agricultural products, and animal health care.
In June of 1998, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued to
Immunex a gene patent that covers DNA encoding TRAIL. Immunex has
filed additional patent applications worldwide.
NOTE: This news release contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with
clinical development, regulatory approvals, product commercialization
and other risks described from time to time in the SEC reports filed
by Immunex, including the most recently filed Form 10K and 10-Q.
SOURCE IMMUNEX
Immunex Corporation, 51 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101, 206-587-0430
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