SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 26, 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®, commented today on the implications of a major research breakthrough for pancreatic cancer.
A recent publication in the scientific journal “Nature,” from the International Cancer Genome Consortium, reported on a detailed analysis of the genetic alterations that led to pancreatic cancer in over 450 patients. The analysis has confirmed that there are four distinct sub-types of this cancer. Tumors are caused by mutations in DNA that make healthy tissue turn cancerous, but there is more than one way to make a cancer. While all the pancreatic cancers looked similar, there were four classes of genetic error that led to tumor formation.
The Consortium also identified ten different trigger points in cellular processes that can lead to cancerous tumors. This is a major breakthrough in the understanding of this devastating disease. Although the authors point out that these trigger points provide clinicians and drug developers with new targets that can be suited to individual patients, PharmaCyte believes that its Cell-in-a-Box® plus low dose ifosfamide treatment will be suitable for the treatment of most, if not all, forms of pancreatic cancer.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented on the publication, “This report represents a major advance in our understanding of the complexities of pancreatic cancer and has rightly gained much publicity in the press, which also increases awareness for this terrible disease. Nevertheless, we believe our Cell-in-a-Box® based, low dose chemotherapy should be able to treat any form of pancreatic cancer since it specifically targets dividing cells, a characteristic that is common to all forms of cancer.”
Read this breakthrough analysis that was published in the “Nature” this week using this abbreviated link provided by the nature.com content sharing initiative: http://ow.ly/YM3cM
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 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 in a patient, a chemotherapy drug which needs to be activated in the body (ifosfamide) is then 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 remarkably 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 Type 2 insulin-dependent 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 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