SILVER SPRING, Md., March 01, 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 Scientific Advisory Board member Mark L. Rabe, MD, was a featured speaker at a Physicians Roundtable that took place in San Diego this past weekend. The Physicians Roundtable was designed to educate local physicians and health care providers on the topic: “The Endocannabinoid System: Leveraging the Largest Receptor System in the Human Body.”
Dr. Rabe’s presentation, “The Evolution of Medical Cannabis,” traced the history of Cannabis from ancient times to the present day, citing numerous references from the proliferation of medical literature that document the anti-cancer, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of the “phyto”-cannabinoid molecules contained in the Cannabis plant. Looking to the future, Dr. Rabe explained how PharmaCyte is seeking to leverage the body’s endocannabinoid system through development of tumor-targeted treatments for serious and deadly cancers by utilizing cannabinoid prodrugs in combination with the versatile Cell-in-a-Box® live-cell encapsulation platform. This research is being conducted for PharmaCyte by researchers at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) under a Schedule 1 license successfully obtained from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
"In order to provide better care to their patients, it is very heartening to see health care professionals dedicate precious time on a Saturday morning to become more educated in the recommendation of an herbal medicine that a significant – and growing – number of patients report works better, with far fewer side effects, than the pharmaceutical alternatives,” commented Dr. Rabe. “The work being conducted at UNC to utilize Cell-in-a-Box® live cell encapsulation in combination with a unique bioengineered cell line to activate cannabinoid prodrugs in a targeted fashion to treat cancer, and potentially other diseases, exemplifies where things are headed in the future.”
A copy of Dr. Rabe’s slide deck and references are posted at the PharmaCyte Biotech website: http://www.PharmaCyte.com/media
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