CYCLACEL PHARMACEUTICALS HIGHLIGHTS PRECLINICAL DATA SHOWING THAT CANCER OF THE BILIARY TRACT IS SENSITIVE TO PLOGOSERTIB

Core Insights - Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals is advancing plogosertib, a PLK1 inhibitor, showing promising preclinical results in biliary tract cancer (BTC) with BUBR1 as a potential biomarker for treatment efficacy [1][2][6] Company Overview - Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative cancer medicines based on cell cycle and mitosis biology [8] - The company is evaluating plogosertib in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies, aiming to build a diversified biopharmaceutical business [8][9] Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC) Insights - BTC, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare and aggressive cancer with an annual incidence of 4.4 per 100,000 in the US, and a poor prognosis with a 5-year overall survival rate of approximately 10-40% [3] - Current treatment strategies for BTC include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and targeted medicines, but there is an urgent need for effective therapies for relapsed, refractory, and unresectable cases [4] Plogosertib and PLK1 Inhibition - Plogosertib is a selective and potent PLK1 inhibitor that has shown impressive efficacy in human tumor xenografts at nontoxic doses [6] - The drug has demonstrated clinical benefits in patients with various cancers, including BTC, and is particularly effective in cancer cells with KRAS mutations and p53 deficiencies [5][7] Research Findings - A preclinical study indicated that BTC cells with high BUBR1 expression are more sensitive to plogosertib, suggesting that targeting PLK1 could be an effective treatment strategy [2] - The study also found that plogosertib combined with an ATR inhibitor showed synergistic effects, indicating potential for optimal combination therapies [2]