Telomir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: TELO) has announced the peer-reviewed publication of preclinical data demonstrating that its lead compound, Telomir-Zn, suppresses tumor growth in prostate and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) models. The findings, published in the Journal of Oncology Research and Therapy, provide a scientific foundation for the company's planned Phase 1/2 clinical trial in TNBC.
The study reveals that Telomir-Zn works by selectively modulating intracellular iron and copper levels. Specifically, it inhibits histone demethylases by depleting intracellular iron, which leads to the selective killing of iron-dependent TNBC cells while sparing normal cells at concentrations more than 50-fold higher. Additionally, the compound reactivated tumor-suppressor genes in a prostate cancer model, indicating a potential epigenetic mechanism of action.
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, suggesting a potential for combination therapy. However, MDA-MB-231 xenografts did not respond, indicating tumor-specific differences in sensitivity that could inform patient selection.
These results are particularly important given the aggressive nature of triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks targeted treatment options and is associated with poor prognosis. The data support the advancement of Telomir-Zn into clinical development. Telomir Pharmaceuticals has already received Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a Phase 1/2 trial in patients with advanced or metastatic TNBC.
The company believes that Telomir-Zn's novel mechanism of action—targeting metal homeostasis and epigenetic regulation—could offer a new therapeutic approach for this challenging disease. The publication in a peer-reviewed journal adds credibility to the scientific evidence and is a critical step in the drug development process.
For more information on the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/mv3hn. To stay updated on Telomir's latest news, refer to the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TELO.
