Dendreon Presents Preclinical Data Validating Anti-Tumor Activity of D-3263, a Trp-p8...

Dendreon Presents Preclinical Data Validating Anti-Tumor Activity of D-3263, a
Trp-p8 Agonist
-- Data Presented at 20th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium --

SEATTLE and GENEVA, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Researchers from
Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) today presented preclinical data on its
lead small molecule candidate, D-3263, which targets Trp-p8 (a transmembrane
cation channel protein also known as Trp-M8), supporting Trp-p8 as a
therapeutic cancer target.
The poster, titled, "Preclinical Validation of the TrpM8 Ion Channel as a
Cancer/ Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Target," was presented at the European
Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, National Cancer Institute
and American Association for Cancer Research Symposium on molecular targets
and cancer therapeutics taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 23,
2008.
"These data provide us with additional evidence supporting the potential
for D-3263 as an important new investigational therapy for cancer and also
potentially for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)," said David Urdal, Ph.D.,
chief scientific officer of Dendreon.
Results showed that in vitro, D-3263 selectively increases the influx of
calcium into Trp-p8 expressing cells leading to cell death. In in vivo animal
models, D-3263 significantly inhibited the growth of Trp-p8 expressing tumors
in both CHO/TRP-P8 expressing tumors as well as a human prostate cancer
xenograft tumor models using the LuCaP 35 prostate cancer cell line. The mean
tumor volume in the LuCaP 35 model in animals treated with D-3263 was 123.7
mm3 compared to 207.6 mm3 in the control arm (p=0.004) In addition, D-3263
significantly reduced (p=0.004) the effects of androgen-induced BPH in animal
models.
"We previously reported that D-3263 can selectively kill cells that
over-express Trp-p8, and these data further substantiate its attractiveness as
a molecule for treating cancer and potentially BPH," said Dr. Urdal. "We look
forward to filing an investigational new drug application with the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration later this year to evaluate the compound in a Phase 1
dose escalation study in cancer."
About Trp-p8
Trp-p8 (also known as Trp-M8) was identified through Dendreon's in-house
discovery efforts. It is an ion channel that is triggered by cold temperatures
and small-molecule agonists. In normal human tissues Trp-p8 is expressed
predominantly in the prostate where it is over-expressed in BPH and prostate
cancer, as well as a range of other cancers including breast, lung and colon.
Dendreon has synthesized bioavailable small molecule agonists that activate
the Trp-p8 ion channel and induce cell death.
About Dendreon
Dendreon Corporation is a biotechnology company whose mission is to target
cancer and transform lives through the discovery, development and
commercialization of novel therapeutics. The Company applies its expertise in
antigen identification, engineering and cell processing to produce active
cellular immunotherapy product candidates designed to stimulate an immune
response. Dendreon is also developing an orally-available small molecule that
targets Trp-p8 that could be applicable to multiple types of cancer as well as
benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Company has its headquarters in Seattle,
Washington and is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol DNDN.
For more information about the Company and its programs, visit
http://www.dendreon.com.
Except for historical information contained herein, this news release
contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties surrounding the presentation of data to the FDA and approval of
product applications by the FDA and risks and uncertainties inherent in the
process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and
effective for use as human therapeutics. Factors that may cause such
differences include risks related to our limited operating history, risks
associated with completing our clinical trials, the risk that the safety
and/or efficacy results of existing clinical trials or from additional
clinical trials will not support approval for a biologics license, the risk
that the FDA may interpret data differently than we do or require more data or
a more rigorous analysis of data than expected, the risk that the FDA will not
approve a product for which a biologics license has been applied, the risk
that the results of a clinical trial may not be indicative of results obtained
in a later clinical trial, risks that we may lack the financial resources and
access to capital to fund required clinical trials, our dependence on the
efforts of third parties, and our dependence on intellectual property. Further
information on the factors and risks that could affect Dendreon's business,
financial condition and results of operations are contained in Dendreon's
public disclosure filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,
which are available at http://www.sec.gov.
SOURCE Dendreon Corporation

Investors: Jennifer Williams, Investor Relations of Dendreon Corporation,
+1-206-829-1500, Media: Katherine Stueland of WeissComm Partners for Dendreon
Corporation, +1-312-208-0320