Hormone sensitive cancers such as prostate and breast cancers can require testosterone or estrogen for survival. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue therapy is one of the most widely used hormonal therapies for advanced prostate cancer. Today's standard of drug therapy involves repeated injections. As such, surgical sterilization of either men or women is an important procedure in the treatment of human prostate or breast cancer. A single injection drug derived from Gonex's platform technology has the potential to replace monthly or quarterly depot administration of Lupron®, Zoladex® or similar compounds. A single injection of GnRH-conjugates can be used to replace surgical sterilization of men and women. In addition, ongoing research is suggestive that Gonex's single injection drug may be have a toxic effect on cancer cells that aberrantly express GnRH receptors.

The Technology Platform
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is secreted by the brain. GnRH binds to specific receptors on cells (gonadotropes) in the pituitary gland and stimulates synthesis and secretion of two other hormones (LH and FSH), that in turn control the production of hormone secretion by the testes or ovaries. By linking GnRH to any of a number of protein synthesis inhibitors, it is possible to target and destroy the gonadotrope cells. This occurs when the gonadotropes internalize the GnRH conjugate as part of the normal process of receptor de-activation. When the number of gonadotrope cells is adequately reduced, there will be inadequate levels of LH or FSH produced to stimulate the gonads, and the typical production of testosterone or estrogen will cease. Without these hormones, hormone sensitive cancers slow or stop their growth.

 

 

 

 

 

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