SY-1425 for Genomically Defined Subsets of Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Selected for Oral Presentation
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Syros Pharmaceuticals today announced that preclinical data on its lead program, SY-1425, in genomically defined subsets of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) will be highlighted in an oral presentation at the 21st Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) taking place June 9-12 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Company will also present new preclinical data on its first-in-class selective cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) inhibitor, SY-1365, in acute leukemia.
SY-1425 in Novel Genomically Defined Subset of AML and MDS Patients
Using
its gene control platform, Syros identified a subset of AML and MDS
patients whose tumors have a highly specialized regulatory region of
non-coding DNA, known as a super-enhancer, associated with the RARA
gene. The super-enhancer associated with RARA is believed to lead
to over-production of the RARα transcription factor, locking cells in an
immature, undifferentiated and proliferative state. Treatment with
SY-1425, an oral, potent and selective agonist of RARα, appears to
promote differentiation of cancer cells with the RARA-associated
super-enhancer, inhibiting the cancer’s growth. The oral presentation at
EHA will detail SY-1425’s mechanism of action as well as in vitro
and in vivo data showing that a biomarker for the RARA
super-enhancer discovered by Syros is predictive of response to
treatment with SY-1425 in models of AML, including a survival benefit
observed in the mice with the RARA biomarker when treated with
SY-1425. Syros is on track to advance SY-1425 into a Phase 2 trial in
mid-2016 in subsets of AML and MDS patients whose tumors are positive
for the RARA biomarker.
Date & Time: Sunday, June 12, from 9-9:15 a.m. CEST
Presentation
Title: Super-Enhancer Analysis Defines Novel AML and MDS Sub-Types
Sensitive to SY-1425, a Potent and Selective RARα Agonist
Session
Title: AML Biology - Novel Targeted Therapies
Presenter: Michael R.
McKeown, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Syros Pharmaceuticals
Abstract
Number: S807
Location: Bella Center, Auditorium 2
CDK7 Inhibition as a Novel Treatment Strategy for Acute Leukemia
Certain
cancers, including AML and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), are
dependent on high and constant expression of transcription factors for
their growth and survival and have been shown to be particularly
responsive to selective inhibition of the transcriptional kinase CDK7.
The poster presentation at EHA details preclinical data demonstrating
that SY-1365, the Company’s first-in-class selective and potent CDK7
inhibitor, preferentially kills cancer cells by inducing robust and
dose-dependent apoptosis in acute leukemia cell lines while not inducing
apoptosis in non-cancerous cells. The data also show that SY-1365
produces a significant survival benefit in patient-derived xenograft
models of AML. Syros expects to advance SY-1365 into a Phase 1/2 trial
in the first half of 2017 in patients with acute leukemia, including AML
and ALL.
Date & Time: Saturday, June 11, from 5:30-7 p.m. CEST
Presentation
Title: First-in-Class CDK7 Inhibitor Induces Robust Apoptosis in Acute
Myeloid Leukemia and Demonstrates Durable In Vivo Efficacy
Session
Title: Acute Myeloid Leukemia - Biology 3
Presenter: Yoon J. Choi,
Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Syros Pharmaceuticals
Abstract Number: P558
Location:
Bella Center, Hall H, Poster Area
About Syros Pharmaceuticals
Syros Pharmaceuticals is
pioneering the understanding of the non-coding region of the genome to
advance a new wave of medicines that control expression of
disease-driving genes. Syros has built a proprietary platform that is
designed to systematically and efficiently analyze this unexploited
region of DNA in human disease tissue to identify and drug novel targets
linked to genomically defined patient populations. Because gene
expression is fundamental to the function of all cells, the Company’s
gene control platform has broad potential to achieve profound and
durable benefit across a range of diseases. Syros is focused on cancer
and immune-mediated diseases and is advancing a growing pipeline,
including its lead drug candidates SY-1425, a selective RARα agonist for
genomically defined subsets of patients identified by its platform, for
a range of cancers including acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic
syndrome, and SY-1365, a selective CDK7 inhibitor for a range of blood
cancers and solid tumors. Led by a team with deep experience in drug
discovery, development and commercialization, Syros is located in
Cambridge, Mass.
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Media Contact:
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or
Investor
Contact:
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212-362-1200
jesse@sternir.com
Source: Syros Pharmaceuticals
Released May 19, 2016