AEterna Zentaris' perifosine seen as potential novel approach for mesothelioma

Canada-based AEterna Zentaris (TSX: AEZ) has highlighted an article published in the May 2012 issue of Plos One, which outlines a novel mechanism of action of the company's oral anti-cancer compound, perifosine, which could provide a rationale for a novel approach to the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MMe), an aggressive type of cancer associated with exposure to asbestos.

Perifosine's activity was tested on human mesothelial cells and different mesothelioma cell lines, in order to provide evidence of its efficacy as single agent and combined therapy.

Data demonstrated that perifosine caused a dose-dependent reduction of Akt activation, at concentrations causing MMe cell growth arrest. Moreover, data described a novel mechanism of perifosine that interferes, upstream of Akt, affecting EGFR and MET phosphorylation. Finally, data demonstrated a significant increase in cell toxicity when MMe cells were treated with perifosine in combination with cisplatin.