PharmaCyte Biotech Addresses Development of Targeted Cannabinoid Chemotherapy
March 01 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®, announced today that Scientific
Advisory Board member Mark L. Rabe, MD, was a featured speaker at a
Physicians Roundtable that took place in San Diego this past
weekend. The Physicians Roundtable was designed to educate local
physicians and health care providers on the topic: “The
Endocannabinoid System: Leveraging the Largest Receptor System in
the Human Body.”
Dr. Rabe’s presentation, “The Evolution of Medical Cannabis,”
traced the history of Cannabis from ancient times to the present
day, citing numerous references from the proliferation of medical
literature that document the anti-cancer, pain-relieving,
anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of the
“phyto”-cannabinoid molecules contained in the Cannabis plant.
Looking to the future, Dr. Rabe explained how PharmaCyte is seeking
to leverage the body’s endocannabinoid system through development
of tumor-targeted treatments for serious and deadly cancers by
utilizing cannabinoid prodrugs in combination with the versatile
Cell-in-a-Box® live-cell encapsulation platform. This research is
being conducted for PharmaCyte by researchers at the University of
Northern Colorado (UNC) under a Schedule 1 license successfully
obtained from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
"In order to provide better care to their patients, it is very
heartening to see health care professionals dedicate precious time
on a Saturday morning to become more educated in the recommendation
of an herbal medicine that a significant – and growing – number of
patients report works better, with far fewer side effects, than the
pharmaceutical alternatives,” commented Dr. Rabe. “The work being
conducted at UNC to utilize Cell-in-a-Box® live cell encapsulation
in combination with a unique bioengineered cell line to activate
cannabinoid prodrugs in a targeted fashion to treat cancer, and
potentially other diseases, exemplifies where things are headed in
the future.”
A copy of Dr. Rabe’s slide deck and references are posted at the
PharmaCyte Biotech website: http://www.PharmaCyte.com/media
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 DepartmentTelephone: 917.595.2856Email:
Info@PharmaCyte.com