SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 19, 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. Matthias Lohr, the Chairman of PharmaCyte Biotech’s Scientific Advisory Board, and Dr. Manuel Hidalgo, a recently appointed member of the Board, have joined other oncologists from Spain, Italy, Germany, the U.K. and Belgium in co-authoring a major review article on pancreatic cancer that was recently published in the prestigious scientific journal, Pancreatology. The title of the review article is “Addressing the Challenges of Pancreatic Cancer: Future Directions for Improving Outcomes.” The review article can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.pancreatology.net/article/S1424-3903(14)00997-1/pdf.
The review article concentrates on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) which accounts for over 90% of all pancreatic cancers. The statistics and severity of PDAC are emphasized and its development is discussed in detail. Of particular importance to PharmaCyte Biotech is the review of current treatment options and the unmet medical need for operable and locally advanced PDAC. The treatment options that a pancreatic cancer patient has when first line therapy is no longer of benefit are discussed, as are the challenges a patient and the treating physician have to deal with when that occurs. Other topics in the review article that are of importance to PharmaCyte Biotech are new targets for drug treatments, new approaches in drug development and strategies for improving disease outcomes.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, stated, “This review article is particularly comprehensive. It deals with the numerous and challenging aspects of pancreatic cancer and the problems that a patient faces as a result of the cancer not usually being diagnosed until the devastating disease has reached an advanced stage. The authors’ thoughts as to the unmet medical need for pancreatic cancer are particularly intriguing. PharmaCyte Biotech is indeed fortunate to have Dr. Hidalgo, who was the lead author on the review article, and Dr. Löhr, both recognized experts in pancreatic cancer, as members of its Scientific Advisory Board. Currently, both of these outstanding individuals are playing leading roles as consultants to PharmaCyte Biotech as it develops its pancreatic cancer treatment that consists of the combination of microcapsules produced using the Cell-in-a-Box® live cell encapsulation technology with low doses of the anticancer drug ifosfamide."
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 its symptoms, and diabetes are being developed.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s treatment for solid tumor cancers involves encapsulating modified live cells capable of converting the prodrug ifosfamide into its active or “cancer-killing” form. These encapsulated live cells are placed as close to the tumor as possible to enable the delivery of the highest levels of the cancer-killing drug at the source of the cancer. Ifosfamide is then given intravenously at one third the normal dose to eliminate adverse side effects. When the ifosfamide comes in contact with the encapsulated live cells through the circulatory system, the activation of the drug takes place at or near the tumor. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven remarkably effective and safe to use in past clinical trials.
PharmaCyte Biotech is also developing treatments for cancer based upon chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant. It is examining ways to exploit the benefits of Cell-in-a-Box® technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of Cannabis, while minimizing or outright eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with cancer treatments.
In addition to developing treatments for pancreatic and other cancers, PharmaCyte Biotech is developing a treatment for Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes. PharmaCyte Biotech plans to encapsulate a human cell line which has been genetically engineered to produce, store and secrete insulin on demand at levels in proportion 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 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.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