MENLO PARK, CA (October 30, 2001): Most genomics research is currently aimed at identifying and validating new gene targets for use in early stage drug discovery. However, genomics can also play a key role now in preclinical and clinical drug development, including predicting potential drug toxicities and helping developers design clinical trials, say scientists from ChemGenex Therapeutics. They discussed data today illustrating the use of chemical genomics approaches in evaluating the potential of their investigational drug called Ceflatonin against leukemias and human solid tumors. The researchers presented their findings at the American Association of Cancer Research National Cancer Institute European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics taking place from October 29 to November 3 in Orlando, Florida.
Understanding how genes perform in response to chemicals in cell cultures, as well as in diseased and normal tissues in living systems can help researchers identify and evaluate potential new drugs more efficiently than ever before, said Dennis Brown, Ph.D., chairman, chief executive officer and founder of ChemGenex Therapeutics, Inc.
Such knowledge can help spotlight possible drug toxicities, as well as identify which patients may best benefit from treatment with a specific drug, he continued. In addition, chemical genomics can aid in the design of efficient clinical trials by helping trial designers predict the most effective doses and dose scheduling, as well as provide key insights into drug bioavailability, distribution and metabolism. Using genomics in this way to help patients receive most effectively those medicines that will be most useful to them is a major goal of the genomics revolution.
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30-Oct-2001