Shares of EntreMed Inc. jumped Thursday after the drug developer said its experimental cancer drug showed activity against tumors in preclinical studies.

EntreMed shares rose 8 cents, or 3.9 percent, to $2.15 in morning trading on the Nasdaq. Shares have traded between $1.43 and $2.99 over the past 52 weeks.

The company said preclinical results for its cell cycle inhibitor MKC-1 showed that the compound interfered with tumor cells in models of lung cancer and pancreatic cancer when used by itself and with the cancer drug Tarceva.

Data showed that MKC-1 binded to tumor cells and destabilized structural components within the cells.