Inspyr Therapeutics Initiates Mipsagargin Combina

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Feb. 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inspyr Therapeutics (OTCQB:NSPX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, today announced the initiation of the second development program for Mipsagargin as part of a combination therapeutic approach.  This new program is focused on the treatment of gastric cancer. 

As part of the Company’s development plan to evaluate the potential of Mipsagargin in combination with current standard-of-care agents in a number of indications, Inspyr has initiated a preclinical study in gastric cancer PDX tumor models that express varying levels of PSMA, the target of Mipsagargin. In this initial study, Mipsagargin will be evaluated initially in combination with paclitaxel.  In addition, the Company plans to evaluate Mipsagargin in combination with DC101 (Cyramza ^® surrogate antibody). Both paclitaxel and Cyramza ^® are approved for the treatment of gastric cancer. The Company expects to share initial results from this initial study in the second half of 2017.

Based on the result of this study, Inspyr plans to finalize the design of a clinical study to examine the potential benefits of Mipsagargin in combination with current standard-of-care therapies in patients with gastric cancer.

“Combining Mipsagargin with standard-of-care agents offers the potential for enhanced anti-tumor activity, resulting in an improved therapy option for patients with gastric cancer, the fifth most common malignancy and the third most common cause of cancer related deaths worldwide,” said Ronald Shazer, M.D., Inspyr’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “This preclinical study is the second of several planned studies examining the potential of Mipsagargin as an effective combination agent addressing unmet needs across different types of cancer.”

About Mipsagargin Mipsagargin is a novel clinical stage thapsigargin-based, PSMA-activated prodrug that consists of an analog of thapsigargin coupled to a masking peptide which inhibits its activity until proteolytic cleavage at the tumor site. Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) is expressed on tumor vasculature endothelial cells in a wide variety of solid tumors. Thapsigargin inhibits the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA) pump which is essential for cell viability. Mipsagargin is being developed for the treatment of multiple cancers.

About Inspyr Therapeutics Inspyr Therapeutics, Inc. develops therapies for cancer using a novel technology platform that combines a powerful therapeutic (thapsigargin) with a patented prodrug delivery system that targets the release of drugs within solid tumors. Mipsagargin, its lead drug candidate, has been studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with Nexavar-refractory hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this indication.  For additional information on Inspyr Therapeutics, visit www.inspyrtx.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This communication may contain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that statements in this document regarding potential applications of Inspyr's technologies or the future prospects of the company constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights and the acceptance of Inspyr’s proposed therapies by the health community. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties will be detailed from time to time in Inspyr's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor Contact: Lisa Cali lcali@inspyrtx.com