Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. announced that its anti-cancer drug Namodenoson significantly inhibits the growth of pancreatic carcinoma as a stand-alone treatment. In combination with the leading chemotherapy used in pancreatic cancer, gemcitabine, Namodenoson demonstrated a significant additive effect. These pre-clinical studies were conducted on advanced pancreatic carcinoma patient cells.

Namodenoson's molecular mechanism of action in pancreatic cancer involves the regulation of the NF-?B /I?B /STAT3-mediated pathway. Namodenoson is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase III study in advanced liver cancer and has completely cleared cancer in an advanced liver cancer patient who remains cancer-free 6 years after starting treatment. Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR).

Namodenoson was evaluated in Phase II trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, and as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug.