Latest news with #ovariancancer
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
SAN DIEGO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zentalis® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNTL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a potentially first-in-class and best-in-class WEE1 inhibitor for patients with ovarian cancer and other tumor types, today announced that on June 2, 2025, the Compensation Committee of Zentalis' Board of Directors granted non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 137,400 shares of the Company's common stock to four (4) newly hired employees. The stock options were granted under the Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan (2022 Inducement Plan) as an inducement material to each such individual's entering into employment with Zentalis in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The 2022 Inducement Plan is used exclusively for the grant of equity awards to individuals who were not previously employees of Zentalis, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to each such individual's entering into employment with Zentalis, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The stock options have an exercise price of $1.28 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Zentalis' common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. The stock options have a 10-year term and will vest over four years, with 25% of the options vesting on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining 75% of the options vesting in equal monthly installments over the three years thereafter. Vesting of the stock options is subject to the employees' continued service to Zentalis on each vesting date. About Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Zentalis® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing azenosertib (ZN-c3), a potentially first-in-class and best-in-class WEE1 inhibitor for patients with Cyclin E1+ platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). Azenosertib is being evaluated as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple tumor types in clinical trials and has broad franchise potential. In clinical trials, azenosertib has been well tolerated and has demonstrated anti-tumor activity as a single agent across multiple tumor types. The Company is also leveraging its extensive experience and capabilities to translate its science to advance research on additional areas of opportunity for azenosertib outside PROC. Zentalis has operations in San Diego.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kara Tointon has double mastectomy after cancer gene test
Former EastEnders actress Kara Tointon has revealed she has undergone a double mastectomy following a gene 41-year-old, also known for her work in dramas including The Teacher and Mr Selfridge, revealed that tests showed she carried the BRCA gene - which can put her at very high risk of cancer. Working with gynaecological cancer charity the Eve Appeal, of which she is an ambassador, Tointon posted an Instagram video on Wednesday to raise awareness of the preventative measure she has said: "You may have heard of the BRCA genes 1 and 2 and as a carrier it means I am at a greater risk of both breast and ovarian cancer." In 2018, the soap star said she was asked to take a genetics test when her mother Carol was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. "There is a history of both cancers in my family on my mother's side, but for various reasons, including generational trauma of which I'll talk more about another time, we hadn't looked into it until that point," she said. "But it was put to us, we took the test, and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene." Ms Tointon's mother died in 2019. If you need any advice or support on issues relating to this story, information and contacts are available on the BBC Action Line "Last year, having had my second son in 2021 and deciding that our family was complete, I underwent two preventative surgeries," she said."The first a double mastectomy and the second a two-part protector study, a trial."They believe that ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes so by removing them first, checking them out, you then remove the ovaries later, and closer to menopause," she added. Hollywood star Angelina Jolie underwent a double mastectomy after she discovered she carried the BRCA1 gene, leading to greater awareness of the gene one in 1,000 women across the UK have a BRCA1 variant, but most breast and ovarian cancers happen due to chance damage to several tests, including biopsies and MRIs, Tointon said: "I decided that this was the right decision for me and my family."It wasn't an easy decision, but one I'm very glad and lucky I made, and I can now, with hindsight, talk about it properly." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders and Strictly star Kara Tointon reveals she's undergone double mastectomy
AN EastEnders and Strictly star has revealed that she has undergone a double mastectomy. Kara Tointon, 41, who played the role of Dawn Swann in hit BBC soap EastEnders, had a double mastectomy after finding out that she carries the BRCA1 gene. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Kara shared an emotional post about her private ordeal. She explained how she made the decision to have a double mastectomy after losing her mum to ovarian cancer in 2018. In the post she revealed to fans how she has undergone a double mastectomy and had her Fallopian tubes removed. In a video with The Eve Appeal, which is a leading gynaecological cancer charity, Kara got candid with viewers. "This is personal, but important," the written caption began. "I am sharing with you my journey with the BRCA1 gene. It's about understanding, choices, and taking control. Hope this helps someone out there." In the video, Kara sat in a grey hoodie and said: "You may have heard of the BRCA genes type 1 and 2 and as a carrier it means that I am at a greater risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. "Back in 2018 when my mum was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, I was asked to take a genetics test. "There is a history of both cancers in my family but for various reasons including generational trauma of which I'll talk more about another time, we hadn't looked into it until that point." She went on: "But it was put to us, we took the test and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene."
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Actress Kara Tointon reveals she's undergone a double mastectomy after learning she carries the deadly BRCA1 gene and her mother's death from ovarian cancer
Kara Tointon has revealed that she's undergone a double mastectomy after learning that she carries the deadly BRCA1 gene. The EastEnders actress, 41, revealed that she's also had her fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure, having lost her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018. As an ambassador for the Eve appeal, a charity that raises awareness of gynaecological cancers, Kara opened up to her followers on social media about her journey that led to her discovery of the deadly gene. Speaking ahead of the charity's Get Lippy campaign to highlight the causes and symptoms of various gynae cancers, Kara revealed that after she losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018, she underwent genetic testing which revealed that she is predisposed to the disease. She said: 'You may have heard of the BRCA genes type 1 and 2 and as a carrier it means that I am at a greater risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newslette r to stay in the loop. 'Back in 2018 when my mum was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, I was asked to take a genetics test. 'There is a history of both cancers in my family but for various reasons including generational trauma of which I'll talk more about another time, we hadn't looked into it until that point. 'But it was put to us, we took the test and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene.' As a mother-of-two, Kara told how her family were her main consideration in her decision making. She said: 'I was pregnant with my first child at the time, knew I wanted more children if possible so over the next couple of years I was invited to various meetings by the NHS to really become informed and to understand all my options. 'Last year having had my second son in 2021 and deciding that our family was complete, I underwent two preventative surgeries. 'The first a double mastectomy and the second a two part protector study, a trial. They believe that ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes so by removing them first checking out you can remove the ovaries later.' The former Strictly winner revealed that after having several medical investigations, she decided that surgery was the best option. 'WEE are finding out more and more about personal genetics and most people believe in surveillance, but after doing this for a couple of years, having MRIs, waiting for biopsy, we decided that this was the right decision for me and my family,' she said. 'I wasn't an easy decision, but one I am very glad that I made and I can now with hindsight talk about it properly.' Kara is not the only woman in the public eye to talk openly about her procedure. Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie also had a double mastectomy as well as having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, after she was found to have a 50 per cent risk of developing ovarian cancer.' Kara has two sons Frey, 6 and Helly 4, with her Norwegian partner Marius Jenson, a chiropractor. The family divide their time between Britain and Norway where Kara's sister Hannah and her father still live. Signing off from social media, Kara paid tribute to the doctors and the Eve appeal charity and their support. She said: 'Id like to thank my surgeons Dr Adam Rosenthal and Dr Gerard Cuie, I can't thank them enough. 'I wanted to talk about it because hearing other people's experience, helped so much and knowledge is power, communication is key, getting to know our bodies, our cycles is only a good thing, but I'll be talking about this a lot more.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
IMUNON Invited to Present Translational Data in Supporting Remarkable Phase 2 Ovarian Cancer Survival Results at ESMO Gynaecological Cancers Congress 2025
Presentation at ESMO will follow oral 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting presentation highlighting unprecedented survival data from Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study of IMNN-001 Simultaneously publication in leading peer-reviewed journal Gynecologic Oncology details IMNN-001's outstanding safety and efficacy across multiple analyses and subgroups Treatment with IMNN-001 could represent new promise for estimated 40,000 women newly diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer yearly in EU and 300,000 globally LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMUNON, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNN), a clinical-stage company in Phase 3 development of its DNA-mediated immunotherapy, today announced that an abstract highlighting IMNN-001 data based on an immune biomarker analysis from the Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study in women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer was accepted for poster presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Gynaecological Cancers Congress 2025, being held June 19-21, 2025 in Vienna, Austria. The abstract, titled 'Immune biomarker analysis of the OVATION-2 trial, a randomized Phase I/II study of IL-12 gene therapy IMNN-001 in combination with Neo/Adjuvant Chemotherapy (NACT) in newly-diagnosed advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC),' will be presented by Premal H. Thaker, M.D., Interim Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, David & Lynn Mutch Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Director of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Research at Washington University School of Medicine, OVATION 2 Study Chair and Study Chair of the Phase 3 OVATION 3 trial. IMUNON also recently announced that new positive data from the OVATION 2 Study will be highlighted in an oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in the peer-reviewed journal Gynecologic Oncology. Results include continuous clinically significant improvement in the IMNN-001 treatment group, with median 13-month and 3-month increases in overall and progression-free survival, respectively. IMNN-001, based on IMUNON's proprietary TheraPlas® technology platform, is an interleukin-12 (IL-12) DNA plasmid vector encased in a nanoparticle delivery system, enabling cell transfection followed by persistent, local production and secretion of the IL-12 protein in the tumor microenvironment. IL-12 is a powerful pluripotent cytokine known for inducing strong anti-cancer immunity by promoting T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell proliferation while inhibiting tumor-mediated immune suppression. IMNN-001 is the first and only IL-12 immunotherapy to achieve a clinically effective response including overall survival benefit in frontline treatment in patients with advanced (stage III/IV) ovarian cancer. 'We are very pleased to be invited to present OVATION 2 biomarker analysis data at ESMO's Gynaecological Cancers Congress, especially in light of the remarkable IMNN-001 survival data that we reported from the study, which are being presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting and in the journal Gynecologic Oncology,' said Stacy Lindborg, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of IMUNON. 'It is highly encouraging to see the global scientific community's strong interest in our promising and novel IMNN-001 immunotherapy including enthusiasm from leading researchers from the European Union and Latin America in participating in our pivotal Phase 3 trial. There is a significant opportunity to improve the standard of care for thousands of women diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer, and we look forward to advancing this program in our Phase 3 trial and positioning IMNN-001 for regulatory review in the European Union and markets around the world.' The pivotal Phase 3 OVATION 3 Study of IMNN-001 will include women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (stage IIIC or IV) who are eligible for neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (N/ACT) (the ITT population), with a sub-group of HRD+ women including those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Study participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either IMNN-001 plus standard of care N/ACT or standard of care N/ACT alone. The primary endpoint of the study is overall survival, and secondary endpoints are surgical response score, chemotherapy response score, clinical response and time to second-line treatment. The study will also assess several exploratory endpoints. IMUNON recently initiated the first two sites for the OVATION 3 Study. About the Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study OVATION 2 evaluated the dosing, safety, efficacy and biological activity of intraperitoneal administration of IMNN-001 in combination with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (N/ACT) of paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients newly diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. Treatment in the neoadjuvant period is designed to shrink the tumors as much as possible for optimal surgical removal after three cycles of chemotherapy. Following N/ACT, patients undergo interval debulking surgery, followed by three additional cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy to treat any residual tumor. This open-label study enrolled 112 patients who were randomized 1:1 and evaluated for safety and efficacy to compare N/ACT plus IMNN-001 versus standard-of-care N/ACT. In accordance with the study protocol, patients randomized to the IMNN-001 treatment arm could receive up to 17 weekly doses of 100 mg/m2 in addition to N/ACT. As a Phase 2 study, OVATION 2 was not powered for statistical significance. Additional endpoints included objective response rate, chemotherapy response score and surgical response. About IMNN-001 Immunotherapy Designed using IMUNON's proprietary TheraPlas® platform technology, IMNN-001 is an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector encased in a nanoparticle delivery system that enables cell transfection followed by persistent, local secretion of the IL-12 protein. IL-12 is one of the most active cytokines for the induction of potent anticancer immunity acting through the induction of T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell proliferation. IMUNON previously reported positive safety and encouraging Phase 1 results with IMNN-001 administered as monotherapy or as combination therapy in patients with advanced peritoneally metastasized primary or recurrent ovarian cancer and completed a Phase 1b dose-escalation trial (the OVATION 1 Study) of IMNN-001 in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer. IMUNON previously reported positive results from the recently completed Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study, which assessed IMNN-001 (100 mg/m2 administered intraperitoneally weekly) plus neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (N/ACT) of paclitaxel and carboplatin compared to standard-of-care N/ACT alone in 112 patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer. About Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Epithelial ovarian cancer is the sixth deadliest malignancy among women in the U.S. There are approximately 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer every year and approximately 70% are diagnosed in advanced Stage III/IV. Epithelial ovarian cancer is characterized by dissemination of tumors in the peritoneal cavity with a high risk of recurrence (75%, Stage III/IV) after surgery and chemotherapy. Since the five-year survival rates of patients with Stage III/IV disease at diagnosis are poor (41% and 20%, respectively), there remains a need for a therapy that not only reduces the recurrence rate but also improves overall survival. The peritoneal cavity of advanced ovarian cancer patients contains the primary tumor environment and is an attractive target for a regional approach to immune modulation. About IMUNON IMUNON is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments that harness the body's natural mechanisms to generate safe, effective and durable responses across a broad array of human diseases, constituting a differentiating approach from conventional therapies. IMUNON is developing its non-viral DNA technology across its modalities. The first modality, TheraPlas®, is developed for the gene-based delivery of cytokines and other therapeutic proteins in the treatment of solid tumors where an immunological approach is deemed promising. The second modality, PlaCCine®, is developed for the gene delivery of viral antigens that can elicit a strong immunological response. The Company's lead clinical program, IMNN-001, is a DNA-based immunotherapy for the localized treatment of advanced ovarian cancer that has completed multiple clinical trials including one Phase 2 clinical trial (OVATION 2). IMNN-001 works by instructing the body to produce safe and durable levels of powerful cancer-fighting molecules, such as interleukin-12 and interferon gamma, at the tumor site. Additionally, the Company has completed dosing in a first-in-human study of its COVID-19 booster vaccine (IMNN-101). The Company will continue to leverage these modalities and to advance, either directly or through partnership, the technological frontier of plasmid DNA to better serve patients with difficult-to-treat conditions. For more information, please visit Forward-Looking Statements IMUNON wishes to inform readers that forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the timing and enrollment of the Company's clinical trials, the potential of any therapies developed by the Company to fulfill unmet medical needs, the market potential for the Company's products, if approved, the potential efficacy and safety profile of our product candidates, and the Company's plans and expectations with respect to its development programs more generally, are forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements by using words such as 'may,' 'will,' 'expect,' 'plan,' 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'intend' and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances). Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, uncertainties relating to unforeseen changes in the course of research and development activities and in clinical trials, including the fact that interim results are not necessarily indicative of final results; the uncertainties of and difficulties in analyzing interim clinical data; the significant expense, time and risk of failure in conducting clinical trials; the need for IMUNON to evaluate its future development plans; possible actions by customers, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities; and other risks detailed from time to time in IMUNON's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. IMUNON assumes no obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise. Contacts:
