PharmaCyte Biotech Pancreatic Cancer Treatment to Target Recently Identified Forms of Pancreatic Cancer
February 26 2016 - 9:25AM
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®, commented today on the implications of
a major research breakthrough for pancreatic cancer.
A recent publication in the scientific journal “Nature,” from
the International Cancer Genome Consortium, reported on a detailed
analysis of the genetic alterations that led to pancreatic cancer
in over 450 patients. The analysis has confirmed that there are
four distinct sub-types of this cancer. Tumors are caused by
mutations in DNA that make healthy tissue turn cancerous, but there
is more than one way to make a cancer. While all the pancreatic
cancers looked similar, there were four classes of genetic error
that led to tumor formation.
The Consortium also identified ten different trigger points in
cellular processes that can lead to cancerous tumors. This is a
major breakthrough in the understanding of this devastating
disease. Although the authors point out that these trigger points
provide clinicians and drug developers with new targets that can be
suited to individual patients, PharmaCyte believes that its
Cell-in-a-Box® plus low dose ifosfamide treatment will be suitable
for the treatment of most, if not all, forms of pancreatic
cancer.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer,
Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented on the publication, “This report
represents a major advance in our understanding of the complexities
of pancreatic cancer and has rightly gained much publicity in the
press, which also increases awareness for this terrible disease.
Nevertheless, we believe our Cell-in-a-Box® based, low dose
chemotherapy should be able to treat any form of pancreatic cancer
since it specifically targets dividing cells, a characteristic that
is common to all forms of cancer.”
Read this breakthrough analysis that was
published in the “Nature” this week using this abbreviated link
provided by the nature.com content sharing initiative:
http://ow.ly/YM3cM
About PharmaCyte BiotechPharmaCyte 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 and diabetes are being developed.
PharmaCyte’s treatment for cancer involves encapsulating
genetically modified live cells that convert an inactive
chemotherapy drug into its active or “cancer-killing” form. These
encapsulated live cells are placed as close to a cancerous tumor as
possible. Once implanted in a patient, a chemotherapy drug which
needs to be activated in the body (ifosfamide) is then given
intravenously at one-third the normal dose. The ifosfamide is
carried by the circulatory system to where the encapsulated cells
have been placed. When the ifosfamide, which is normally activated
in the liver, comes in contact with the encapsulated live cells,
activation of the chemotherapy drug takes place at the source of
the cancer without any side effects from the chemotherapy. This
“targeted chemotherapy” has proven remarkably effective and safe to
use in past clinical trials.
In addition to developing a novel treatment for cancer,
PharmaCyte is developing a treatment for Type 1 diabetes and Type 2
insulin-dependent diabetes. PharmaCyte plans to encapsulate a human
cell line that has been genetically engineered to produce, store
and release insulin in response 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 or its management, are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are
beyond the control of PharmaCyte, 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’s intellectual property and
PharmaCyte’s continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte 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