A Korean research team developed a novel gene therapy to treat human brain tumors using a protein gene.




Professor Dai-Wu Seol of Kyungwon University’s Department of Life Sciences announced on February 25 that
his team, in collaboration with Dong-A Pharmaceutical, have developed a new gene therapy for brain tumors by
combining a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, or TRAIL, with adenovirus.




The research results were reported in the February 21 issue of PLoS One, an online international science
journal.



Malignant gliomas are one of the most common types of brain tumors. On average, patients survive only one
year.



The team used a TRAIL, which brings about necrosis only to cancer cells, without damaging normal cells.




The researchers used genetic engineering to enable in vitro production of a trimeric TRAIL, which effectively
causes cancer cell necrosis, and secretion thereof. Then, they inserted the TRAIL in adenovirus to develop an
adenovirus-based TRAIL that kills cancer cells, or AD-stTRAIL. The trimeric TRAIL injected into a living body
combines with TRAIL receptors on cancer cell surfaces to bring about cancer cell necrosis.



“We injected the anti-cancer treatment in various amounts into the dura mater of normal mice and observed no
notable toxicity - neither peculiar disease symptoms nor weight loss,” said Professor Seol, explaining “It
showed better efficacy than BCNU, a currently available brain tumor drug. And when injected together with
BCNU, greater efficacy was confirmed without toxicity or other negative side -effects.”



An Official from Dong-A Pharmaceutical said, “This gene therapy is a new drug independently developed by
Korean researchers. Given that there is no brain tumor drug with remarkable efficacy available anywhere
around the world, it can very well become a new market leader,” adding, “Phase I clinical trials are planned for
the second half of this year, which will involve brain tumor patients.”





Dong-A Pharmaceutical, one of the Korea’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and
healthcare companies, is committed to working for a better tomorrow by following its core value of integrity,
excellence and respect for humanity. Dong-A Pharmaceutical has kept its No. 1 position in the Korean
pharmaceutical market since 1967 with its Zydena(erectile dysfunction treatment), Stillen(gastritis treatment),
Bacchus(refreshing tonic) and other 120 products. For further information, please visit www.donga-pharm.com




Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

Dong-A Pharmaceutical cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by Dong-A
Pharmaceutical, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements may include
statements regarding product development, product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking
statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Dong-A
Pharmaceutical undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result
of new information, future events, or otherwise.