31 January 2019 - - Drug Design, Development and Therapy has published an article titled, "Targeting the A3 Adenosine Receptor to Treat Cytokine Release Syndrome in Cancer Immunotherapy," Israeli biotechnology company Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CFBI) said.

Can-Fite BioPharma is advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address cancer, liver and inflammatory diseases, TODAY announced that Drug Design, Development and Therapy 

The article presents data from numerous studies that show adenosine's role in inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production.

Can-Fite's Piclidenoson, a Phase III drug candidate, and Namodenson, a Phase II drug candidate, both target the A3 adenosine receptor, which the company believes may treat cytokine release syndrome while also promoting an anti-cancer effect.

CRS is a potentially life threatening side effect of cancer immunotherapies including CAR-T.

The market for CAR-T drugs is estimated to reach approximately USD 5.4bn in 2024 according to Evaluate Pharma.

"While CAR-T and other cancer immunotherapies are saving lives, as their use increases, there is growing concern about the drugs' life threatening side effects including the high incidence of CRS. With the publication of this article in Drug Design, Development and Therapy, we are advancing the scientific community towards delivering immunotherapies that offer a high degree of efficacy with a greater degree of safety for the patient. Our platform technology, through Namodenoson, has already displayed its anti-cancer effects in humans, and therefore it is a candidate to not only protect patients from CRS, but to also boost the body's fight against cancer," said Dr. Pnina Fishman, Can-Fite's CEO. "We look forward to implementing our development strategy for our drugs in the treatment of CRS."

Can Fite's platform technology selectively targets A3AR, which plays a central role in mediating the mechanism of inflammation by reducing elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, NF-Kβ, TNF-α, and more.

Can-Fite BioPharma is an advanced clinical stage drug development company with a platform technology that is designed to address multi-billion dollar markets in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disease and sexual dysfunction.

The company's lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson, is currently in Phase III trials for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Can-Fite's liver cancer drug, Namodenoson, is in Phase II trials for hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer, and for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Namodenoson has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US and Europe and Fast Track Designation as a second line treatment for HCC by the US Food and Drug Administration. Namodenoson has also shown proof of concept to potentially treat other cancers including colon, prostate, and melanoma.

CF602, the company's third drug candidate, has shown efficacy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in preclinical studies and the company is investigating additional compounds, targeting A3AR, for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.

These drugs have an excellent safety profile with experience in over 1,000 patients in clinical studies to date.