New cancer drug targets microtubules

Data presented at the American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting in Washington DC show that Basilea’s novel small molecule anticancer drug BAL 101553 is potentially effective against a wide range of tumour types, including some resistant to chemotherapy.

BAL 101553 is a prodrug of BAL 27862, which has been shown to promote fragmentation of microtubules. In vitro, it is active against drug-resistant breast and ovarian cancer cell lines. BAL 101553 is highly water- soluble and can be administered orally or intravenously. Basilea say there is now sufficient evidence to support studies in patients with treatment-refractory tumours, and phase 1 trials will begin later this year.