Discovery of the Anticancer Mechanism of (EE)-bisantrene
| Stock | Race Oncology Ltd (RAC.ASX) |
|---|---|
| Release Time | 2 Oct 2025, 8:24 a.m. |
| Price Sensitive | Yes |
Discovery of the Anticancer Mechanism of (EE)-bisantrene
- (E,E)-bisantrene (RCDS1) acts by binding to G4-DNA & RNA structures, not like chemotherapeutic doxorubicin
- Targeting G4-DNA & RNA reduces activity of cancer genes like MYC, inhibits topoisomerase 2 and telomerase, and increases m6A in RNA
- Discovery of RCDS1's mechanism of action has important clinical and commercial implications
Race Oncology Ltd has discovered that the primary mechanism of action (MOA) of (E,E)-bisantrene (RCDS1) is binding to and stabilizing G-quadruplex (G4) DNA and RNA structures, rather than acting like a traditional chemotherapeutic drug such as doxorubicin. Scientific studies have found that RCDS1's anticancer activity predominantly results from its ability to bind and stabilize these important regulatory DNA and RNA structures, which are found throughout the human genome. G4 structures regulate the expression and translation of many genes involved in causing cancer, including the master cancer growth regulator, MYC. In addition, the stabilization of G4-DNA and RNA structures inhibits the enzymes topoisomerase 2 and telomerase, and indirectly increases the level of m6A in RNA, mimicking the enzymatic inhibition of the FTO protein. The discovery of RCDS1's G4-targeting MOA has important clinical and commercial implications, as it allows for the rational selection of cancer types and drug combinations most likely to respond, the development of predictive biomarker tests, and improved partnering opportunities with large pharmaceutical companies.
Race Oncology has not provided any high-importance, price-sensitive forward-looking financial metrics or other company-specific metrics in the announcement.
Race Oncology plans to conduct additional preclinical studies exploring the G4-DNA and RNA binding effects of RCDS1, identify the major cancer indications and best drug combinations to explore in the clinic, and determine the most valuable commercial market opportunity. The company will also publish the mechanism of action studies in peer-reviewed journals and present the findings at major international conferences.