Telomir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: TELO) has announced the peer-reviewed publication of preclinical data demonstrating that its lead candidate, Telomir-Zn, suppresses tumor growth in prostate and triple-negative breast cancer models. The findings, published in the Journal of Oncology Research and Therapy, provide the scientific foundation for advancing Telomir-Zn into a planned Phase 1/2 clinical trial in triple-negative breast cancer under the company's active Investigational New Drug application.
The study reveals that Telomir-Zn works by selectively modulating intracellular iron and copper levels. By depleting intracellular iron, Telomir-Zn inhibits histone demethylases, which are enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation. This mechanism selectively kills iron-dependent TNBC cells while sparing normal cells at concentrations more than 50-fold higher than the effective dose. Additionally, the compound reactivated tumor-suppressor genes in a prostate cancer model, indicating a potential broad anticancer effect.
In TNBC xenograft models, Telomir-Zn reduced primary tumor size across several cell lines. Notably, in HCC1806 xenografts, the treatment significantly reduced metastatic dissemination. In BT-549 xenografts, combining Telomir-Zn with paclitaxel produced significantly greater tumor reduction than either treatment alone, suggesting a potential synergistic effect. However, MDA-MB-231 xenografts did not respond, indicating tumor-specific differences in sensitivity that may inform patient selection in future trials.
These results are particularly significant given the aggressive nature of triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks targeted therapies and has a poor prognosis. The ability of Telomir-Zn to inhibit metastasis and work in combination with existing chemotherapy could offer a new therapeutic option for patients. The company's IND clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a Phase 1/2 trial in advanced or metastatic TNBC underscores the potential clinical relevance of these findings.
Telomir Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing small-molecule therapeutics that target epigenetic and metabolic pathways implicated in cancer. Telomir-Zn is designed to modulate intracellular metal homeostasis and epigenetic regulation, and the company is advancing it as a potential treatment for TNBC and other cancers.
For more information on the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/mv3hn.
