Aptose begins APTO-253 clinical study in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies

Aptose Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: APTO, TSX: APS), a clinical-stage company developing new therapeutics and molecular diagnostics that target the underlying mechanisms of cancer, today announced dosing of the first patient in its Phase 1b clinical study of APTO-253 in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies. APTO-253 is a first-in-class inducer of the Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) tumor suppressor gene, and the only clinical-stage compound targeted for patients with suppressed KLF4 levels.

"Epigenetic suppression of the KLF4 gene has been reported as a key transforming event in acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, and Aptose is a pioneer in advancing KLF4 induction as a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of these patient populations," commented William G. Rice, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO.

SOURCE Aptose Biosciences Inc.