PharmaCyte Biotech's Scientific Advisory Board Chairman Publishes Review Article on the Pathology of Pancreatic Cancer
February 24 2015 - 9:30AM
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB:PMCB), a clinical stage
biotechnology company focused on developing targeted treatments for
cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation
technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, announced today that Dr. Matthius Löhr,
Chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board, together with his
colleagues Dr. Verbeke, Dr. Severin Karlsson and Dr. Del Charro
from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, have published
a medical and scientific review article that is directed to
improving the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The article titled
"Pathology reporting of pancreatic cancer following neoadjuvant
chemotherapy: Challenges and uncertainties" appeared in the
renowned cancer journal Cancer Treatment Reviews. The review can be
viewed by clicking here, scrolling down to the article's title and
then clicking on "PDF."
The review article highlights the lack of recommendations for
the macroscopic examination, tissue sampling and microscopic
assessment of pancreatic cancer as well as the grading of tumor
regression and assessment of residual tumor tissue, in contrast to
those seen with other cancers. All of these factors are important
parameters in assessing treatment outcome in clinical trials of
patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy
(used to shrink a tumor prior to additional treatment such as
surgery) and the divergence of these matters among pancreatic
cancer clinical trials makes interpretation of trial results and
comparisons among trials quite difficult. Accordingly, the authors
of the review article have made interim suggestions for dealing
with these criteria and call for an international consensus on
dealing with these critical parameters.
Kenneth L. Waggoner, CEO of PharmaCyte Biotech, stated, "Prof.
Löhr and his colleagues have highlighted a major deficit in the
diagnosis, treatment and the evaluation of treatment success in
pancreatic cancer in this important publication. Not only is this
relevant for the future treatment of pancreatic cancer, but it is
also a key for measuring success in clinical trials in comparison
to other treatments. All of the factors discussed in this review
article should be considered in conducting trials in patients with
pancreatic cancer which, of course, includes our upcoming Phase 2b
clinical trial."
In commenting on the review article, Dr. Löhr emphasized,
"Despite the fact that pathology provides key outcome parameters in
terms of tumor regression and completeness of surgical resection
following neoadjuvant treatment, worldwide there are
inconsistencies in various aspects of pathology examination such as
specimen dissection, tissue sampling, evaluation of tumor
regression and margin status assessment which can confound
diagnosis as well as evaluation of treatment success in pancreatic
cancer. We are calling for international consensus on these
critical parameters since we believe that this is of utmost
importance as we move towards newer treatments for this devastating
disease."
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage biotechnology company
focused on developing and preparing to commercialize treatments for
cancer and diabetes based upon a proprietary cellulose-based live
cell encapsulation technology known as Cell-in-a-Box®. This unique
and patented technology will be used as a platform upon which
treatments for several types of cancer, including advanced,
inoperable pancreatic cancer, and diabetes are being built.
PharmaCyte Biotech's treatment for pancreatic cancer involves low
doses of the well-known anticancer prodrug ifosfamide, together
with encapsulated live cells, which convert ifosfamide into its
active or "cancer-killing" form. These capsules are placed as close
to the cancerous tumor as possible to enable the delivery of the
highest levels of the cancer-killing drug at the source of the
cancer. This "targeted chemotherapy" has proven remarkably
effective in past clinical trials. PharmaCyte Biotech is also
working towards improving the quality of life for patients with
advanced pancreatic cancer and on treatments for other types of
solid cancerous tumors. In addition, PharmaCyte Biotech is
developing treatments for cancer based upon chemical constituents
of the Cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. In doing so,
PharmaCyte Biotech is examining ways to exploit the benefits of
Cell-in-a-Box® technology in optimizing the anticancer
effectiveness of cannabinoids, while minimizing or outright
eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with
cancer treatments. This provides PharmaCyte Biotech the rare
opportunity to develop "green" approaches to fighting deadly
diseases, such as cancer of the pancreas, brain and breast, which
affect hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide every
year.
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regarding PharmaCyte Biotech and its future events and results that
involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate,"
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expressions, as they relate to PharmaCyte Biotech or its
management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of
PharmaCyte Biotech, could cause actual results to differ materially
from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. They
include PharmaCyte's ability to continue as a going concern, delays
or unsuccessful results in preclinical and clinical trials, flaws
or defects regarding its product candidates, changes in relevant
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of PharmaCyte Biotech's intellectual property and PharmaCyte
Biotech's continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte Biotech
does not assume any obligation to update any of these
forward-looking statements.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at
www.PharmaCyteBiotech.com. It can also be obtained by contacting
Investor Relations.
CONTACT: Investor Relations Contacts:
Jamien Jones
Blueprint Life Science Group
Telephone: 415.375.3340 Ext. 103
jjones@bplifescience.com