Telomir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: TELO) has announced the peer-reviewed publication of preclinical data demonstrating that its lead candidate, Telomir-Zn, suppresses tumor growth in models of prostate and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The findings, published in the Journal of Oncology Research and Therapy, provide a scientific foundation for advancing the drug into a planned Phase 1/2 clinical trial in TNBC, according to the company.
The study revealed that Telomir-Zn works by selectively modulating intracellular iron and copper levels. By depleting intracellular iron, the compound inhibits histone demethylases, enzymes that play a role in gene expression. This mechanism selectively kills iron-dependent TNBC cells while sparing normal cells at concentrations more than 50-fold higher. Additionally, the drug 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. Notably, in BT-549 xenografts, combining Telomir-Zn with paclitaxel, a standard chemotherapy agent, produced significantly greater tumor reduction than either treatment alone. However, MDA-MB-231 xenografts did not respond, indicating tumor-specific differences in sensitivity.
These findings are particularly significant given the aggressive nature of triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks targeted therapies and has a poor prognosis. The data support the company’s active Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with advanced or metastatic TNBC.
Telomir Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing small-molecule therapeutics that target epigenetic and metabolic pathways implicated in cancer. Telomir-Zn is designed to modulate intracellular metal homeostasis and epigenetic regulation, offering a novel approach to cancer treatment. The company has received IND clearance from the FDA to proceed with the trial.
For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/mv3hn. The latest news and updates on Telomir Pharmaceuticals can be found in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TELO.
This publication marks a critical step in the development of Telomir-Zn, offering hope for a new treatment option for a challenging cancer type. The company plans to move forward with its clinical program, and the results will be closely watched by the oncology community.
