A newly published research publication in the Journal of Clinical Medicine (J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(14), 4821, ”Fractalkine signaling (CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis) as an emerging target in Coronary Artery Disease”, summarizes the clinical research conducted in the field of the fractalkine axis and its role in cardiovascular disease. Based on the clinical research reviewed, the authors conclude that the fractalkine axis is an attractive future pharmaceutical target for treatment and prevention of life-threatening cardiovascular disease. Dr. Ioakim Spyridopoulos, one of the authors of the publication, is the primary investigator of the ongoing FRACTAL study, a phase IIa clinical study of Kancera’s fractalkine blocker KAND567 in myocardial infarction patients. The article describes KAND567’s potential as a representative of new class of drugs in the field of cardiovascular disease and the outline of the FRACTAL study.

Myocardial infarction is the most serious acute manifestation of cardiovascular disease leading to heart failure, both short and long term. Despite the advanced treatments available today, such as the life-saving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), major complications that can be life threatening are common following a myocardial infarction.

“Today’s standard of care is dependent on anti-thrombotic drugs, however attempts to reduce such complications by an intensified use of these drugs comes with an increased risk of bleedings. Hence, the medical need for more safe and effective treatments is big”, says Thomas Olin, Chief Scientific Officer at Kancera and elaborates: “In collaboration with clinical researchers Kancera is seeking to develop a new class of drugs that can improve the efficacy of today’s standard of care without increasing the risk of bleedings. We are encouraged by the comprehensive support that this research publication brings to Kancera’s fractalkine project and its objective in cardiovascular disease to prevent excessive inflammation and reduce serious complications post myocardial infarction.”

The clinical research reviewed indicate that the fractalkine axis plays an important role in promoting cardiovascular diseases throughout the disease life cycle, from early changes in the vessels up until a thrombus event that may follow many years later. Accordingly, provided that KAND567 can be used for chronic treatment in the future, KAND567 has the potential to provide patient benefit both in early and late stage cardiovascular disease.

”This publication summarizes over twenty years of clinical research in the field and it clearly points to that the fractalkine axis may cause excessive inflammation leading to life threatening cardiovascular diseases. This publication confirms the strong scientific rationale for the ongoing FRACTAL study and we are now looking forward to the upcoming data read out”, says Peter Selin, CEO of Kancera and continues: “If the study results will demonstrate that KAND567 has a good safety profile and at the same time is impacting pro-inflammatory immune cells linked to cardiovascular diseases it will be a huge success for Kancera. If we in addition can demonstrate that KAND567 has heart protective effects, we have the opportunity to revolutionize the field.”


About the FRACTAL study
The FRACTAL study is an ongoing clinical phase IIa study of Kancera’s fractalkine blocking drug candidate KAND567 in myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The study is conducted in collaboration with the NHS Foundation, sponsor of the study, at the two hospitals Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. Patient enrollment has been completed with a total of 71 patients recruited. The primary objective is to evaluate safety and tolerability. Secondary objective is to evaluate signals of heart protective effects. Kancera expects that top line data will be presented in September 2023.

About Kancera AB (publ)
Kancera is developing a new class of drugs for treatment of cancer and severe inflammatory diseases, that today are lacking effective treatments. Kancera’s main focus is to develop small molecule drug candidates based on the fractalkine system. Fractalkine is a natural master regulator that with precision controls immune cells and cancer cells. The stock is traded on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. FNCA Sweden AB is the company's Certified Adviser.

For further information:
Peter Selin
CEO, Kancera AB
Phone: +46 (0)8-5012 60 80

Visit Kancera’s web page: https://www.kancera.com/en