PharmaCyte’s Research on Medical Uses of Cannabinoids Supported by Recent Scientific Article
July 05 2016 - 9:40AM
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 a recently
published scientific article supports PharmaCyte’s ongoing research
efforts that concern medical uses for constituents of Cannabis
known as cannabinoids. The article titled “Amyloid proteotoxicity
initiates an inflammatory response blocked by cannabinoids” was
published in the journal, Aging and Mechanisms of Disease and
appeared online on June 23, 2016. The article can be viewed in its
entirety at http://www.nature.com/articles/npjamd201612
The Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte, Kenneth
L. Waggoner, commented, “This research again demonstrates the
potential benefit of cannabinoids in treating deadly and
debilitating diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative
diseases. Our Cell-in-a-Box® live-cell encapsulation technology
provides a unique, versatile and natural platform for the delivery
of potentially beneficial cannabinoids. It is PharmaCyte’s goal to
use the combination of the Cell-in-a-Box® technology and
cannabinoids or cannabinoid-like compounds to develop effective and
safe treatments for some of the deadliest forms of cancer for which
such treatments do not presently exist, such as cancer of the
pancreas, brain and breast, which affect hundreds of thousands of
individuals worldwide every year.”
The studies reported in the article, conducted by
researchers at The Salk Institute for Biologic Studies and the
University of California San Diego, showed that the inflammatory
response initiated by “beta amyloid plaque” is blocked by
cannabinoids. Beta amyloid plaque is an aggregating protein that
has been linked to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Accumulation
of toxic beta amyloid plaque within nerve cells results in
inflammation and nerve cell death. It is believed to be an early
event in the development of many conditions associated with old
age. The study showed that marijuana-derived cannabinoid molecules,
such as tetrahydrocannabinol, stimulate the removal of beta amyloid
plaque between neurons, block the inflammatory response and are
thus protective against nerve cell death. This is the first study
to show that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta
accumulation in nerve cells. The implications are broad as there
are currently no available drugs that significantly inhibit the
cell death that is associated with these diseases.
About PharmaCyte BiotechPharmaCyte Biotech is a
clinical stage biotechnology company 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 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, a chemotherapy drug
that needs to be activated in the body (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 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 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 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.
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 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