Race Oncology Limited (Race) announced that it has begun a new collaborative research project with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) to uncover at the molecular level how Zantrene® protects the heart from chemotherapy. Distinguished cardiologist-scientist and cardio-oncology key opinion leader (KOL) Dr. Brian Jensen will lead the project. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of how Zantrene can mitigate the cardiotoxicity of current standard of care chemotherapies will aid the selection of optimal dosing in the clinic.

Dr. Brian Jensen, a cardiologist and physician-scientist with a career focus in cardio-oncology, has published widely on the mechanisms of chemotherapy- induced reductions in cardiac function, with a particular focus on the role of alpha- adrenergic receptors. The project is expected to take 12 months with a budged cost of USD 101,261.74. Zantrene Protects the Heart from Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity Anthracyclines are some of the most effective anti-cancer treatments and are used more broadly than any other class of chemotherapeutic agent2.

These drugs are used to treat millions of cancer patients every year, including those with leukemias, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, kidney, liver, stomach, uterine, thyroid, ovarian, sarcoma, bladder, lung and breast cancers. Clinically, the most important anthracyclines are doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin and idarubicin3. Although they are highly effective anti-cancer drugs, the anthracyclines cause serious and permanent damage to the heart in many patients.

Race Oncology reported that Zantrene (bisantrene) is able to protect human heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) from anthracycline-induced cell death (ASX announcement: 22 November 2021). Notably, Zantrene is also able to synergise with anthracyclines to better kill breast cancer cells, making it the first reported chemotherapeutic agent to show both anticancer and cardioprotective effects. Importantly, Race confirmed that the cardioprotective effects seen in cells translated to significant protection of mouse hearts in an established model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Based on these preclinical findings, Race is planning on undertaking both observational and interventional Phase 1/2b clinical trials of Zantrene in breast cancer patients treated with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC therapy).