SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 Dr. Matthius Löhr, Chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board, together with his colleagues Dr. Verbeke, Dr. Severin Karlsson and Dr. Del Charro from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, have published a medical and scientific review article that is directed to improving the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The article titled "Pathology reporting of pancreatic cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Challenges and uncertainties" appeared in the renowned cancer journal Cancer Treatment Reviews. The review can be viewed by clicking here, scrolling down to the article's title and then clicking on "PDF."
The review article highlights the lack of recommendations for the macroscopic examination, tissue sampling and microscopic assessment of pancreatic cancer as well as the grading of tumor regression and assessment of residual tumor tissue, in contrast to those seen with other cancers. All of these factors are important parameters in assessing treatment outcome in clinical trials of patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy (used to shrink a tumor prior to additional treatment such as surgery) and the divergence of these matters among pancreatic cancer clinical trials makes interpretation of trial results and comparisons among trials quite difficult. Accordingly, the authors of the review article have made interim suggestions for dealing with these criteria and call for an international consensus on dealing with these critical parameters.
Kenneth L. Waggoner, CEO of PharmaCyte Biotech, stated, "Prof. Löhr and his colleagues have highlighted a major deficit in the diagnosis, treatment and the evaluation of treatment success in pancreatic cancer in this important publication. Not only is this relevant for the future treatment of pancreatic cancer, but it is also a key for measuring success in clinical trials in comparison to other treatments. All of the factors discussed in this review article should be considered in conducting trials in patients with pancreatic cancer which, of course, includes our upcoming Phase 2b clinical trial."
In commenting on the review article, Dr. Löhr emphasized, "Despite the fact that pathology provides key outcome parameters in terms of tumor regression and completeness of surgical resection following neoadjuvant treatment, worldwide there are inconsistencies in various aspects of pathology examination such as specimen dissection, tissue sampling, evaluation of tumor regression and margin status assessment which can confound diagnosis as well as evaluation of treatment success in pancreatic cancer. We are calling for international consensus on these critical parameters since we believe that this is of utmost importance as we move towards newer treatments for this devastating disease."
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte 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, including advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer, and diabetes are being built. PharmaCyte Biotech's treatment for pancreatic cancer involves low doses of the well-known anticancer prodrug ifosfamide, together with encapsulated live cells, which convert ifosfamide into its active or "cancer-killing" form. These capsules are placed as close to the cancerous tumor as possible to enable the delivery of the highest levels of the cancer-killing drug at the source of the cancer. This "targeted chemotherapy" has proven remarkably effective in past clinical trials. PharmaCyte Biotech is also working towards improving the quality of life for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and on treatments for other types of solid cancerous tumors. In addition, PharmaCyte Biotech is developing treatments for cancer based upon chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. In doing so, PharmaCyte Biotech is examining ways to exploit the benefits of Cell-in-a-Box® technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of cannabinoids, while minimizing or outright eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with cancer treatments. This provides PharmaCyte Biotech the rare opportunity to develop "green" approaches to fighting deadly diseases, such as cancer of the pancreas, brain and breast, which affect hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide every year.
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 Biotech or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of PharmaCyte Biotech, 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 Biotech's intellectual property and PharmaCyte Biotech's continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte Biotech does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at www.PharmaCyteBiotech.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
CONTACT: Investor Relations Contacts:
Jamien Jones
Blueprint Life Science Group
Telephone: 415.375.3340 Ext. 103
jjones@bplifescience.com
Source: PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.