SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 02, 2016 (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 on Saturday, July 30, 2016, PharmaCyte’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board member Mark L. Rabe, MD, delivered a presentation entitled “Medical Cannabis for Cancer” as part of a “Cannabis for Cancer Forum” in San Diego.
During his presentation, Dr. Rabe provided educational information to individuals interested in learning more about cannabinoid-based therapies in treating cancer and explained PharmaCyte’s ongoing research at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) to exploit the benefits of the Cell-in-Box® technology to develop therapies for cancer, based upon the constituents of the Cannabis plant, known as “cannabinoids.” The research at UNC on behalf of PharmaCyte is being performed under a Schedule 1 license issued by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Research Cannabis material has been procured from the only federally-approved source of Cannabis, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Dr. Rabe explained that the goal of PharmaCyte’s research at UNC is to develop methods for the identification, separation, and quantification of constitutes of Cannabis (some of which are prodrugs) that may be used in combination with Cell-in-a-Box® technology to treat diseases - initially cancer.
Specifically, the goal of the research is to identify an appropriate cell type that can convert selected cannabinoid prodrugs into metabolites with anticancer activity. Once identified, the genetically modified cells that will produce the appropriate enzyme to convert that prodrug into its active form will be encapsulated using the Cell-in-a-Box® technology. The encapsulated cells and cannabinoid prodrugs identified by these studies will then be combined and used for future studies to evaluate their anticancer effectiveness.
Dr. Rabe commented, “It is very gratifying to be able to offer symptomatic relief to individuals with cancer. It is even more gratifying to see that natural, plant-based molecules may have direct beneficial effects on the disease process itself, with significantly better side effect and safety profiles than conventional treatments. The potential use of targeted cannabinoid-based chemotherapy utilizing the Cell-in-a-Box® platform gives great hope for the future.”
A copy of Dr. Rabe’s presentation and references are posted on PharmaCyte’s website: http://www.PharmaCyte.com/media.
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 a patient’s cancerous tumor as possible. Once implanted, a chemotherapy drug 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 comes in contact with 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 an “artificial pancreas” for purposes of insulin production.
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