Abbott Researchers Focus on New Cutting-Edge Approaches in the Fight Against Cancer

Scientists to Present Data on Innovative Oncology Compounds at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

For decades, scientists have looked for new therapies that target cancer. Researchers now know that cancer cells have several unique characteristics – they require new blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients (angiogenesis), they grow uncontrollably (proliferation), they travel throughout the body (metastasis), and they escape programmed cell death, a natural process by which the body rids itself of damaged or unwanted cells (apoptosis). Robust preclinical data shows that several compounds in Abbott’s oncology pipeline interfere with these vital processes. Data on two of these compounds will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting being held April 14-18 in Los Angeles.

During the meeting, scientists from independent academic institutions and Abbott will present data on Abbott’s Bcl-2 family protein inhibitor (ABT-263). This compound, currently in early clinical development, corrects defects in cancer cells that allow them to escape programmed cell death. They will also present data on an investigational PARP inhibitor (ABT-888) that enhances the effectiveness of common cancer therapies that damage DNA in cancer cells.

Presentation highlights include:

ABT-263

* “ABT-263: An orally bioavailable Bcl-2 family protein inhibitor”
[Oral presentation, Sunday, April 15, 1 p.m., Hall A]

* “Pediatric preclinical testing program (PPTP) evaluation of the Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-263”
[Oral presentation, Tuesday, April 17, 3:55 p.m., Room 404 A-B]

ABT-888

* “The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, ABT-888 potentiates the antitumor activity of temozolomide in the B16F10 syngeneic melanoma model: Correlation with pharmacokinetic levels and a reduction in poly(ADP-ribose) polymer by ELISA”
[Oral presentation, Tuesday, April 17, 2:40 p.m., Room 404 A-B]

* “ABT-888, a potent PARP inhibitor, enhances the antitumor activities by a variety of chemotherapeutic agents in vivo”
[Poster session, Abstract #1457, Sunday, April 15, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Poster section 28, Poster 14, Exhibit Hall]

“Cancer accounts for nearly 25 percent of all deaths in the United States, second only to heart disease,” said Stephen Fesik, Ph.D., divisional vice president, Cancer Research, Abbott. “Abbott’s Oncology Discovery team is dedicated to finding the next generation of small molecule and biologic therapies that will have an impact on this horrible disease.”

“There is particular excitement from the scientific community surrounding Abbott’s Bcl-2 family protein inhibitors which block the action of a class of proteins that regulate apoptosis,” said Fesik. “This ground-breaking program may prove to be extremely valuable in the fight against cancer. In fact, dozens of researchers from around the world are studying Abbott’s Bcl-2 family protein inhibitors and will reveal some of their results at this meeting.”