Novogen Limited (ASX:NRT; Nasdaq:NVGN) should open and trade higher after demonstrating that lead drug Trilexium is effective in the destruction of ovarian cancer architecture.
Novogen's US subsidiary CanTx, in conjunction with Yale University, has shown that cancer stem cells isolated from the tumors of ovarian cancer patients are able to form self-renewing spheroids.
When injected into a mouse model, these spheroids form highly vascularized tumors mirroring that of the human disease.
Spheroids are mini-tumors and the ability of Trilexium to penetrate and to kill these tumor cell structures is a significant step forward for Trilexium.
Novogen proposes to deliver Trilexium into the peritoneal cavity where ovarian cancer originates and spreads.
By packing the drug into a targeted delivery system, delivery of significant quantities of the drug directly to
the usual multiple tumors is possible.
The American Cancer Society estimates that over 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer during 2013 and 14,230 American women will die from the disease.
It ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
Cancer stem cells are thought to be the tumor-initiating cells in many cancers responsible for both the production of the tumor mass and metastasis, and are highly resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Proactive Investors is a market leader in the investment news space, providing ASX “Small and Mid-cap” company news, research reports, StockTube videos and One2One Investor Forums.