Pluristem’s PLX Cells Significantly Inhibit Cancer Cell Growth in Newly Published Study
January 12 2018 - 7:00AM
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PSTI) (TASE:PSTI), a leading
developer of placenta-based cell therapy products, today announced
the publication of a peer-reviewed article in the journal
Scientific Reports, from the publisher of Nature, titled, “Human
Placental-Derived Adherent Stromal Cells Co-Induced with TNF‑α and
IFN‑γ Inhibit Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Nude Mouse
Xenograft Models.”
The article is based on studies which examined
the effect of PLX cells that had been induced with tumor necrosis
factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), on the
proliferation of over 50 lines of human cancerous cells. The
induction of the cells was carried out by adjusting their
manufacturing process in order to transiently alter their secretion
profile.
Data from the first study showed that the
modified PLX cells exhibited an anti-proliferative effect on 45% of
the tested cancer cell lines, with a strong inhibitory effect on
various lines of breast, colorectal, kidney, liver, lung, muscle
and skin cancers. Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis identified
common characteristics of the cancer cell lines inhibited by PLX
cells. This knowledge could potentially be used in the future for
screening patients’ tumors to identify those patients most likely
to show a positive response to treatment with PLX cells.
Based on these promising results, Pluristem
conducted a pre-clinical study of female mice harboring human
triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is an aggressive form of
breast cancer that does not respond to standard hormonal therapy
due to a lack of estrogen and progesterone receptors. Current
treatment for TNBC consists of a combination of surgery, radiation
therapy, and chemotherapy, and yet the prognosis remains poor for
patients with this type of breast cancer. In this study, weekly
intramuscular (IM) injections of the induced PLX cells produced a
statistically significant reduction (p= 0.025) in mean tumor size
in the treated group compared with the untreated group, with 30% of
the treated mice exhibiting complete tumor remission. In addition,
a statistically significant reduction (p=0.003) was seen in the
percentage of proliferating tumor cells as well as in the level of
blood vessels within the tumors.
“The findings of this study published in a
peer-reviewed journal are the outcome of over two years of research
as well as the vast knowledge of PLX cell properties we have
developed over the last 10 years. We believe the findings show
promise for the utilization of our induced PLX cells in slowing and
reversing the growth of cancer cells, particularly for some cancers
that don’t have viable treatment options,” stated Zami Aberman,
Chairman and Co-CEO of Pluristem. “The findings also confirm the
effectiveness of IM administration and support a mechanism of
action involving immunomodulation and inhibition of angiogenesis
and cell proliferation in cancerous conditions. Our unique patented
manufacturing platform allows us to alter our cells’ secretion
profile in correlation with the targeted cancer cells, which may
open new possibilities in the field of oncology to treat solid
tumors and may also offer new paths to help millions of patients
around the world. As in immunotherapy technology, PLX cells
potentially have the ability to communicate with the body and to
secrete biological components that enhance regeneration processes
and support the body in fighting cancer cells.”
Pluristem has filed patent applications relating
to the technology for the induction of PLX cells and the use of
these cells for the treatment of cancer.
About Pluristem
Therapeutics
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading
developer of placenta-based cell therapy products. The Company has
reported robust clinical trial data in multiple indications for its
patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells, and is entering late-stage
trials in several indications. Our PLX cell products release a
range of therapeutic proteins in response to inflammation,
ischemia, muscle trauma, hematological disorders, and radiation
damage. The cells are grown using the Company's proprietary
three-dimensional expansion technology and can be administered to
patients off-the-shelf, without tissue matching. Pluristem has a
strong intellectual property position; Company-owned and operated,
GMP-certified manufacturing and research facilities; strategic
relationships with major research institutions; and a seasoned
management team.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains express or implied
forward-looking statements within the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and other U.S. Federal securities laws. For
example, Pluristem is using forward-looking statements when its
discusses that comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, which
identified common characteristics of the cancer cell lines
inhibited by PLX cells, could potentially be used in the
future for screening patients’ tumors, that the study findings show
promise for the utilization of Pluristem’s induced PLX cells in
slowing and reversing the growth of cancer cells, that Pluristem’s
PLX cells may open new possibilities to treat solid tumors and may
also offer new paths to help millions of patients around the world.
These forward-looking statements and their implications are based
on the current expectations of the management of Pluristem only,
and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those described in
the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among
others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements: changes in technology
and market requirements; Pluristem may encounter delays or
obstacles in launching and/or successfully completing its clinical
trials; Pluristem’s products may not be approved by regulatory
agencies, Pluristem’s technology may not be validated as it
progresses further and its methods may not be accepted by the
scientific community; Pluristem may be unable to retain or attract
key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of
its products; unforeseen scientific difficulties may develop with
Pluristem’s process; Pluristem’s products may wind up being more
expensive than it anticipates; results in the laboratory may not
translate to equally good results in real clinical settings;
results of preclinical studies may not correlate with the results
of human clinical trials; Pluristem’s patents may not be
sufficient; Pluristem’s products may harm recipients; changes in
legislation may adversely impact Pluristem; inability to timely
develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications;
loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from
competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of
Pluristem to differ materially from those contemplated in such
forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law,
Pluristem undertakes no obligation to publicly release any
revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risks
and uncertainties affecting Pluristem, reference is made to
Pluristem's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Karine Kleinhaus, MD, MPH Divisional VP, North
America 1-914-512-4109 karinek@pluristem.com
Efrat Kaduri Head of Investor and Public
Relations972-74-7108600 efratk@pluristem.com
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