AEG35156 is a 2nd generation antisense oligonucleotide which targets XIAP; it is designed to lower the apoptotic threshold of cancer cells, enhancing their sensitivity to intrinsic death and chemotherapy, without harming healthy cells. AEG35156 is currently being tested in a randomized Phase 2 combination study with sorafenib in first-line hepatocellular carcinoma being conducted in Hong Kong and a Phase 1/2 monotherapy study in CLL/indolent B-cell lymphomas, which is fully funded by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This schematic illustrates XIAP’s pivotal role as the most potent endogenous inhibitor of caspases 3, 7 and 9. XIAP inhibits apoptosis induced by cues which trigger the intrinsic mitochondria-mediated cell death pathway as well as the extrinsic death receptor-mediated cell death pathway via the inhibition of these key initiator and effector caspase enzymes.

	July 19, 2010 Aegera Therapeutics Reports Survival Data from the Phase 1 Portion of its Phase 1-2 Study of AEG35156 in Combination with Sorafenib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
	January 26, 2010 Aegera Therapeutics Initiates a Randomized Phase 2 Study with AEG35156 for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
	July 31, 2008 AEGERA INITIATES A FIFTH PHASE 1 and 2 CLINICAL TRIAL FOR AEG35156