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 through selective modulation of intracellular iron and copper. The findings, published in the Journal of Oncology Research and Therapy, provide a scientific foundation for advancing Telomir-Zn into a planned Phase 1/2 clinical trial in TNBC under the company's active Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
The study revealed that Telomir-Zn inhibits histone demethylases by depleting intracellular iron, selectively killing 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. In TNBC xenograft models, Telomir-Zn reduced primary tumor size across several cell lines and significantly reduced metastatic dissemination in HCC1806 xenografts. In BT-549 xenografts, combining Telomir-Zn with paclitaxel produced significantly greater tumor reduction than either treatment alone, while MDA-MB-231 xenografts did not respond, indicating tumor-specific differences in sensitivity.
These results are particularly significant because TNBC is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of breast cancer with limited targeted therapeutic options. The ability of Telomir-Zn to selectively target iron-dependent cancer cells while sparing normal cells suggests a promising safety profile and a novel mechanism of action. The company's focus on epigenetic and metabolic pathways, specifically metal homeostasis, represents an innovative approach that could address unmet medical needs in oncology.
Telomir Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing small-molecule therapeutics targeting epigenetic and metabolic pathways implicated in cancer. The company's lead program, Telomir-Zn, has received IND clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The peer-reviewed data reinforce the scientific rationale for this trial and support the potential of Telomir-Zn as a new therapeutic option for patients with limited alternatives.
The implications of these findings extend beyond TNBC, as the modulation of intracellular iron and copper could have applications in other cancers that rely on these metals for growth and survival. The observed reactivation of tumor-suppressor genes in prostate cancer models also suggests potential use in additional indications. As Telomir moves forward with its clinical program, the successful translation of these preclinical results into human efficacy would mark a significant advancement in the field of epigenetic and metabolic cancer therapy.
For more information on the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/mv3hn. Additional updates on Telomir Pharmaceuticals are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TELO.
