PharmaCyte Biotech’s Scientific Advisory Board Members Co-Author Major Review on Pancreatic Cancer
August 19 2015 - 9:00AM
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. Matthias Lohr,
the Chairman of PharmaCyte Biotech’s Scientific Advisory Board, and
Dr. Manuel Hidalgo, a recently appointed member of the Board, have
joined other oncologists from Spain, Italy, Germany, the U.K. and
Belgium in co-authoring a major review article on pancreatic cancer
that was recently published in the prestigious scientific journal,
Pancreatology. The title of the review article is “Addressing the
Challenges of Pancreatic Cancer: Future Directions for Improving
Outcomes.” The review article can be viewed in its entirety at
http://www.pancreatology.net/article/S1424-3903(14)00997-1/pdf.
The review article concentrates on pancreatic
ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) which accounts for over 90% of all
pancreatic cancers. The statistics and severity of PDAC are
emphasized and its development is discussed in detail. Of
particular importance to PharmaCyte Biotech is the review of
current treatment options and the unmet medical need for operable
and locally advanced PDAC. The treatment options that a pancreatic
cancer patient has when first line therapy is no longer of benefit
are discussed, as are the challenges a patient and the treating
physician have to deal with when that occurs. Other topics in the
review article that are of importance to PharmaCyte Biotech are new
targets for drug treatments, new approaches in drug development and
strategies for improving disease outcomes.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer,
Kenneth L. Waggoner, stated, “This review article is particularly
comprehensive. It deals with the numerous and challenging aspects
of pancreatic cancer and the problems that a patient faces as a
result of the cancer not usually being diagnosed until the
devastating disease has reached an advanced stage. The authors’
thoughts as to the unmet medical need for pancreatic cancer are
particularly intriguing. PharmaCyte Biotech is indeed fortunate to
have Dr. Hidalgo, who was the lead author on the review article,
and Dr. Löhr, both recognized experts in pancreatic cancer, as
members of its Scientific Advisory Board. Currently, both of these
outstanding individuals are playing leading roles as consultants to
PharmaCyte Biotech as it develops its pancreatic cancer treatment
that consists of the combination of microcapsules produced using
the Cell-in-a-Box® live cell encapsulation technology with low
doses of the anticancer drug ifosfamide."
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 its
symptoms, and diabetes are being developed.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s treatment for solid tumor
cancers involves encapsulating modified live cells capable of
converting the prodrug ifosfamide into its active or
“cancer-killing” form. These encapsulated live cells are placed as
close to the tumor as possible to enable the delivery of the
highest levels of the cancer-killing drug at the source of the
cancer. Ifosfamide is then given intravenously at one third the
normal dose to eliminate adverse side effects. When the ifosfamide
comes in contact with the encapsulated live cells through the
circulatory system, the activation of the drug takes place at or
near the tumor. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven remarkably
effective and safe to use in past clinical trials.
PharmaCyte Biotech is also developing treatments
for cancer based upon chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant.
It is examining ways to exploit the benefits of Cell-in-a-Box®
technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of Cannabis,
while minimizing or outright eliminating the debilitating side
effects usually associated with cancer treatments.
In addition to developing treatments for
pancreatic and other cancers, PharmaCyte Biotech is developing a
treatment for Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 insulin-dependent
diabetes. PharmaCyte Biotech plans to encapsulate a human cell line
which has been genetically engineered to produce, store and secrete
insulin on demand at levels in proportion to the levels of blood
sugar in the human body. The encapsulation will be done using the
Cell-in-a-Box® technology.
Safe Harbor This press release may contain
forward-looking statements regarding PharmaCyte Biotech and its
future events and results that involve inherent risks and
uncertainties. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," "plan" and similar 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 legislation or regulatory
requirements, uncertainty of protection 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.PharmaCyte.com. It can also be obtained by contacting
Investor Relations.
Investor Relations:
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
Telephone: 917.595.2856
Email: Info@PharmaCyte.com