Recognition of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) of the Liver Protective Effect of Can-Fite’s anti-Cancer Drug Namodenoson

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Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.
Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.
  • Can-Fite’s data will be presented at the 2025 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

  • Can-Fite enrolls patients for its pivotal Phase III advanced liver cancer study

Ramat Gan, Israel, Dec. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address Oncology and Inflammatory diseases, today announced that its work titled “The Liver Protective Effect of the anti-Cancer Drug Candidate Namodenoson is Mediated via Adiponectin” will be presented at the 2025 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium to take place at San Francisco & On Line, January 23-25.

Currently, Namodenoson is being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 multinational registrational trial for the treatment of advanced liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma; HCC). Interestingly, Namodenoson has also completely cleared cancer in an HCC patient who was enrolled in Can-Fite’s Phase 2b HCC trial. The patient continues to be treated through a compassionate use program in Romania, where she remains cancer-free for more than 8 years following her first dose of Namodenoson.

The uniqueness of Namodenoson is that beyond its anti-cancer activity, it also induces a liver-protective effect. The latter is manifested by anti-steatosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-ischemic effects in the liver. Can-Fite researchers also found that the molecular mechanism of the protective effect is mediated via adiponectin protein, a positive cytokine released by adipocytes and endothelial cells in the body, known to induce liver-, cardio-, and neuro-protective effects.

Namodenoson has received significant acknowledgment in the scientific and medical communities, as evidenced by the numerous peer-reviewed publications and conferences, in which it has been published and presented.

“Our Phase 3 registrational trial is designed to treat patients who have tried, yet not benefitted from the few other FDA-approved HCC treatments on the market today. In distinction from these drugs which induce liver toxicity on top of their anti-cancer effect, Namodenoson has the advantage of having a liver-protective effect and therefore can be administered to patients with advanced disease,” stated Can-Fite CSO & Chairperson Dr. Pnina Fishman. We are hopeful that Namodenoson, with its liver-protective properties, can safely prolong life for advanced liver cancer patients.”

About Namodenoson

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.