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®, today announced that its research
partner, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), has made
significant progress with PharmaCyte’s Cannabis Research Program.
Of note, a parental cell line identical to that being used in
PharmaCyte’s Cell-in-a-Box® + ifosfamide pancreas cancer therapy is
being utilized to develop a therapy for cancer using cannabinoids
as the chemotherapy agent.
Last week, UNC presented two scientific papers at the 253rd
American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition
in San Francisco, California, themed “Advanced Materials,
Technologies, Systems & Processes.” In these presentations, UNC
presented a summary of its work with PharmaCyte’s Cannabis Research
Program.
Mark L. Rabe, MD, PharmaCyte’s Director of Cannabis Program
Development, said of the research being done by UNC, “There are
several necessary components for a Cell-in-Box®/cannabinoid therapy
to work. First, ‘active’ cannabinoid molecules need to exert an
anti-cancer effect. The anti-cancer effects of cannabinoids,
notably THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD, or cannabidiol, are
already well-documented in the medical literature against a broad
range of cancers. Our research has independently confirmed this for
CBD, and we have completed important preliminary dose-effect
studies. Second, we need a ‘prodrug’ form of the ‘active’ molecule
or molecules. We have this. Lastly, we need an enzyme-producing
cell line, suitable for encapsulation, that will convert the
‘prodrug’ into the ‘active drug.’ In this regard, work is ongoing
along several fronts, and UNC’s presentations give us confidence
that the work shows promise.”
On April 4, 2017, UNC presented its work in the following two
papers. The first paper, titled “Development of a cannabinoid-based
Cell-in-a-Box® therapeutic system targeted toward malignant
tumors,” was presented by Dr. Richard M. Hyslop, Principal
Investigator and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UNC. In
his presentation, Dr. Hyslop described PharmaCyte’s Cannabis
research at UNC that was designed to develop a targeted
cannabinoid-based chemotherapy utilizing the Cell-in-a-Box®
live-cell encapsulation technology. This aspect of the UNC research
has concentrated on the feasibility of developing cells capable of
producing an enzyme that can convert an inactive phytocannabinoid
(a Cannabis component) prodrug into an active anti-cancer drug.
Cell-in-a-Box®, which encapsulates cells in a bio-inert
cellulose-based porous polymer, serves as the platform for the
therapy. Encapsulated cells with this prodrug-activating property
could be implanted immediately upstream from a tumor. Then, the
prodrug could be activated by the encapsulated cells at the site of
the tumor.
Dr. Hyslop also described how specific phytocannabinoid
prodrugs, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD
(cannabidiol), and various model compounds have been screened for
the desired activity across a variety of cell lines. Five cell
lines have been observed to produce the desired
phytocannabinoid-converting enzyme. Three of these cell lines have
shown specific activity for the conversion of the cannabinoid
prodrug into an active antineoplastic drug under certain
conditions. Efforts to identify the genetic code for the
responsible enzyme in these cell lines are underway.
In parallel, an organism has been identified that produces the
desired enzyme, and this enzyme has already had its genetic code
sequenced. Knowing this sequence, the gene has been successfully
synthesized “from scratch” into a vector (carrier vehicle). Work is
now underway to transfect (insert) this gene from the vector into
the genetic code of a specific human cell line. The cells would
then become enzyme-producing “factories” to treat cancer using
phytocannabinoids as the prodrug or chemotherapy agent. The cell
line is very well suited for encapsulation, and it is the identical
parental cell line used by PharmaCyte in its therapy for pancreas
cancer. Once complete, testing will commence to analyze the
bio-engineered cell line’s ability to catalyze the desired
phytocannabinoid-prodrug-activating reaction.
“Learning that the parental cell line used to develop our
therapy for pancreas cancer may very well be the same cell line
that could be used as the foundation for development of a therapy
for different types of cancers using cannabinoids is very good
news,” commented PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L.
Waggoner. “It is this kind of news that could fast-forward our
Cannabis Research Program and allow PharmaCyte to become a serious
player in this sector with our ability to develop cannabinoid-based
therapies utilizing our proprietary Cell-in-a-Box® live-cell
encapsulation technology.”
The second paper, titled “In vitro anti-neoplastic activity of
specific phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa,” was presented by
UNC graduate student Shawn Bydalek. This aspect of the research
focuses on the ability of cannabinoids to produce an anti-cancer
effect. The in vitro (in the laboratory, but not in animals)
effects of select cannabinoids on several human cancer cell lines
have been investigated. This work involved treating single-cell
layer cultures with increasing levels of CBD and measuring the
resultant changes in the cancer cell populations. Results showed
that CBD possesses potent dose-related effects against breast,
lung, colon and skin cancer cells. Testing of anti-cancer effects
against pancreas cancer and glioblastoma (brain cancer) are
currently underway.
Waggoner added, “We are quite pleased to present the valuable
information that has been generated by Dr. Hyslop and the UNC team
as well as showcase the versatility of the Cell-in-a-Box®
technology as an advanced therapeutic platform. The pieces of the
puzzle are beginning to fall into place.”
For more information on the meeting visit:
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/meetings/spring-2017.html.
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage
biotechnology company developing therapies for cancer and diabetes
based upon a proprietary cellulose-based live cell encapsulation
technology known as “Cell-in-a-Box®.” This technology will be used
as a platform upon which therapies for several types of cancer and
diabetes are being developed. PharmaCyte’s therapy for cancer
involves encapsulating genetically engineered human cells that
convert an inactive chemotherapy drug into its active or
“cancer-killing” form. These encapsulated cells are implanted as
close to the patient’s cancerous tumor as possible. Once implanted,
a chemotherapy drug that is normally activated in the liver
(ifosfamide) is given intravenously at one-third the normal dose.
The ifosfamide is carried by the circulatory system to where the
encapsulated cells have been implanted. When the ifosfamide flows
through the encapsulated cells, they act as an artificial liver and
activate the chemotherapy drug at the source of the cancer. This
“targeted chemotherapy” has proven effective and safe to use in
past clinical trials and results in no side effects.
In addition to developing a novel therapy for
cancer, PharmaCyte is developing a treatment for Type 1 diabetes
and insulin-dependent Type 2 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. Once the encapsulated cells are
implanted in a diabetic patient they will function as a
“bio-artificial pancreas” for purposes of insulin production.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking
statements, which are generally statements that are not historical
facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words
"expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates,"
"plans," "will," "outlook" and similar expressions. Forward-looking
statements are based on management's current plans, estimates,
assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are
made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking
statement because of new information or future events, except as
otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve
inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to
predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or
outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the
forward-looking statements due to the impact of numerous risk
factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K and our other reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be
found at www.PharmaCyte.com. It can also be obtained by contacting
Investor Relations.
Contact:
Investor Relations:
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
Telephone: 917.595.2856
Email: Info@PharmaCyte.com