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 (TNBC) models. The study, published in the Journal of Oncology Research and Therapy, provides the scientific foundation for advancing Telomir-Zn into a planned Phase 1/2 clinical trial in TNBC, for which the company already has an active Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
The research reveals that Telomir-Zn works by selectively modulating intracellular iron and copper. Specifically, it inhibits histone demethylases by depleting intracellular iron, which selectively kills iron-dependent TNBC cells while sparing normal cells at concentrations more than 50-fold higher. Additionally, the compound reactivates tumor-suppressor genes in a prostate cancer model, indicating a broader epigenetic mechanism.
In TNBC xenograft models, Telomir-Zn reduced primary tumor size across several cell lines and significantly reduced metastatic dissemination in HCC1806 xenografts. Notably, in BT-549 xenografts, combining Telomir-Zn with paclitaxel produced significantly greater tumor reduction than either treatment alone. However, MDA-MB-231 xenografts did not respond, highlighting tumor-specific differences in sensitivity that could guide patient selection in future trials.
The findings are particularly relevant given the aggressive nature of triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks the receptors targeted by standard hormone therapies and HER2-targeted drugs, making it more difficult to treat. Current treatment options often involve chemotherapy, but responses can be limited, and metastatic disease remains challenging.
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 it has received IND clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a Phase 1/2 trial in patients with advanced or metastatic TNBC.
This publication adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the potential of metal modulation as a therapeutic strategy in oncology. By selectively targeting cancer cells while sparing normal cells, Telomir-Zn could offer a more tolerable and effective option for patients with TNBC and possibly other cancers.
For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/mv3hn. Updates on Telomir Pharmaceuticals can be found in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TELO.
