Karyopharm Therapeutics Announces Multiple Presentations on Selective Inhibitors of Nuclear Export (SINE) in Solid and Hematologic Malignancy Models and Spontaneous Canine Cancers at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Meeting

NATICK, Mass., March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc., a leader in the new field of nuclear transport modulators, announces nine presentations covering its Selective Inhibitors of Nuclear Export (SINE), oral small molecule CRM1 antagonists, at the AACR meeting on March 31 – April 4, 2012, in Chicago.  The presentations are being made by academic collaborators studying the use of Karyopharm's novel SINE, along with Karyopharm scientists, for the treatment of prostate, pancreatic, melanoma, colorectal, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and Ph+ acute leukemias.  In addition, in a late breaking abstract, Dr. Cheryl London of Ohio State University will present the use of SINE compounds to treat spontaneous chemotherapy resistant canine lymphomas.

Dr. William Senapedis of Karyopharm will make an oral presentation in Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics Session 25 (Room W185 McCormick Place West Level 1) on Monday, April 2, 2012, between and 3:00 and 5:00 PM, entitled "KPT-SINE (Selective Inhibitors of Nuclear Export) induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo through nuclear localization of Tumor Suppressor Proteins (TSPs)" (Abstract 2943).

In our first reports of activity in spontaneous chemotherapy-resistant tumors in larger animals, Dr. Cheryl London of Ohio State University will present "Preliminary results of a phase I study of the novel CRM1 inhibitors KPT-276 and KPT-335 in dogs with spontaneous cancer" on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in the Poster Section: Late-Breaking Research: Clinical Trials (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM), Hall F (Abstract LB-232; Section 40).

All other poster presentations will take place on Monday, April 2, 2012, 8:00AM-12:00 noon in Hall F, Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics 12.

Drs. Giovanni Gravina and Claudio Festuccia of University of L'aquila, Italy, will present "Selective inhibitors of nuclear export (SINE) activate multiple tumor suppressor pathways and kill prostate cancer cells across multiple genotypes in vitro and in vivo" (Abstract 1841; Section 30). 

Drs. Asfar Azmi and Ramzi Mohammed of Wayne State University will present two posters: "CRM-1 as a potential therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer" (Abstract 1815; Section 30) and "Novel small molecule CRM-1 inhibitor for Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma" (Abstract 1825; Section 30).

Drs. Roberto Fragomeni and James Cusack of Massachusetts General Hospital will present "Potent anticancer activity against both BRAF-mutant and BRAF wild-type melanoma cell lines using a novel CRM1 nuclear export inhibitor" (Abstract 1914; Section 34).

Drs. Christopher Walker and Danilo Perrotti of the Ohio State University will present "Nuclear export (karyopherin) inhibitors: A novel therapeutic strategy for treating Philadelphia-positive (Ph+) acute leukemias" (Abstract 3839; Section 32).

Dr. Dilara McCauley of Karyopharm will present "Selective inhibitors of nuclear export (SINE) induce multiple tumor suppressor proteins (TSP) activity and show single agent antitumor effect and synergy with Bcl-2 antagonist in non-small cell lung cancer" (Abstract 1831; Section 30).

Dr. Yosef Landesman of Karyopharm will present a poster, "Pharmacokinetic (PK) / pharmacodynamic (PDn) and efficacy relationship of selective inhibitors of nuclear export (KPT-SINE)" (Abstract 3775; Section 30).

Karyopharm's founder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Sharon Shacham commented, "We are very pleased to share the results of our continuing collaborative and internal work on the mechanisms of action and anti-tumor activity of SINE compounds in the treatment of a variety of malignant conditions. We are encouraged by their activity in dogs with naturally occurring and chemotherapy refractory tumors, and we are on track to bring our first in class, oral clinical candidate into Phase 1 studies this year."

About Karyopharm

Karyopharm is a pre-IND biopharmaceutical company leading the development of small molecule modulators of nuclear transport.  The Company was founded by Drs. Sharon Shacham, Michael Kauffman, Giulio Draetta and Ronald DePinho in 2008.  Karyopharm has raised approximately $34M since its inception. The Company has won several grants/awards including a Biotech Investment Award by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in 2010. Karyopharm's first program is directed towards the Selective Inhibition of Nuclear Export – its SINE program – targeting CRM1, the major nuclear export protein. By inhibiting the nuclear export of tumor suppressor proteins (TSP), Karyopharm's drug candidates force the activation of the cell's key TSP and anti-inflammatory pathways including p53, p21, pRB, FoxO, and IkB, the body's inhibitor of nuclear factor NF-kB.  Karyopharm anticipates entering the clinic this year with its first oral SINE compound for the treatment of various cancers in humans, and has already begun studies of SINE in canine cancers, particularly lymphoma, one of the most common dog tumors. The Company is also evaluating the use of SINEs in autoimmune, viral and dermatologic disorders. Karyopharm Therapeutics is located in Natick, Massachusetts.

CONTACT: Michael Kauffman, [email protected], +1-508-975-4821

SOURCE Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.