LIXTE Launches New Study to Determine if Certain Pre-Cancerous Cells Found in an Aging Population Can Be Eliminated by LB-100

LIXTE Biotechnology Holdings, Inc recently announced it will conduct a new pre-clinical study in collaboration with Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) to test whether “initiated” cells that carry mutations found in cancer cells can be eliminated by treatment with LIXTE’s proprietary compound LB-100.

“In addition to our ongoing clinical trials in ovarian and colorectal cancer, this study represents a new opportunity in cancer prevention,” said Bas van der Baan, LIXTE’s Chief Executive Officer. “Thus far in our Phase 1 clinical trials, LB-100 has shown patient tolerance, with little toxicity, making it a promising candidate as a broad and effective cancer prevention modality.”

Increasing evidence indicates that as individuals age, certain mutations accumulate that are found in cancer cells. While these “initiated” cells behave essentially normally, they can propagate to form reservoirs of pre-malignant cells from which malignant cells may eventually emerge. Recent data from LIXTE’s ongoing clinical collaboration with NKI shows that LB-100 activates oncogenic signaling and that this is detrimental to cancer cells.

The new study in animal models will investigate whether “initiated” cells, harboring a mutant RAS oncogene, can be eliminated with LB-100. If successful, LB-100 could have a significant role in the elimination of initiated cells in aged individuals and could reduce the risk of developing a wide range of cancers as a person ages.

The study will be led by René Bernards, Ph.D., a global leader in the field of molecular carcinogenesis and Senior Staff Scientist at NKI, one of the world’s leading comprehensive cancer centers. Dr. Bernards also is a member of LIXTE’s Board of Directors.

LIXTE Biotechnology Holdings, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on new targets for cancer drug development and developing and commercializing cancer therapies. LIXTE has demonstrated that its first-in-class lead clinical PP2A inhibitor, LB-100, is well-tolerated in cancer patients at doses associated with anti-cancer activity. Based on extensive published preclinical data (see www.lixte.com), LB-100 has the potential to significantly enhance chemotherapies and immunotherapies and improve outcomes for patients with cancer.

LIXTE’s lead compound, LB-100, is part of a pioneering effort in an entirely new field of cancer biology – activation lethality – that is advancing a new treatment paradigm. LIXTE’s new approach is covered by a comprehensive patent portfolio. Proof-of-concept clinical trials are currently in progress for colon, small cell lung and sarcoma cancers. Additional information about LIXTE can be found at www.lixte.com.