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Microbix and Angiogen seek funding for clinical trials; remission of cancer already observed in early studies; patented therapy destroys tumors by 'starving them' of the nutrients to survive and grow
Microbix and Angiogen seek funding for clinical trials; remission of cancer already observed in early studies; patented therapy destroys tumors by 'starving them' of the nutrients to survive and grow.
About this update from Microbix Biosystems Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n\nTORONTO, June 27 /CNW/ - A new cancer drug combination that destroys\nsolid tumors by preventing the growth of new blood vessels, which are needed\nto provide essential nutrients to the growing cancer mass, has had encouraging\nearly results in a Phase I human clinical trial. Significant biological\nresults and one case of complete cancer remission have also been shown under\ncompassionate use conditions.\nMicrobix Biosystems Inc. (TSX:MBX) and Angiogen LLC, which entered into\nan agreement to commercialize this proprietary technology, are now actively\nseeking funding to support further Phase I and II clinical trials.\nThe solid tumor treatment market in the U.S. is more than $34 billion\nannually. More than $3.5 billion a year is now spent on colorectal cancer\ntherapy alone, with some $5.4 billion being directed annually into prostate\ncancer. Over 800,000 new cases of solid tumors are diagnosed annually in the\nU.S. Over 6 million patients are diagnosed worldwide with solid tumors each\nyear.\nAngiogen's broadly patented Angiostatic Cocktail results in the human\nbody itself generating an anti-cancer protein, termed Angiostatin 4.5 (AS4.5).\nAS4.5 molecules bind receptors that cause endothelial cells to undergo\napoptosis (programmed cell death) such that the growth of new blood vessels,\nthat are essential to tumor development, is prevented. The growing tumor is\nthereby effectively \"starved\" of the nutrition needed to survive and grow.\nMicrobix manufactures the key component of this new drug therapy, urokinase,\nat its state-of-the-art facility in Toronto.\nA prior clinical study, using low dose Angiostatic Cocktail to treat\nadvanced solid tumor patients, showed encouraging results, including some\ntumor necrosis and a decline in serum tumor markers. Additionally, in four (of\neight) compassionate use cases (50%), cancer patients exhibited positive\nclinical results, one with complete remission, another with marked reduction\nin tumor mass, and two others with increased levels of AS4.5 in the\nbloodstream.\n\"This patented technology combines two drugs, a protein, urokinase, and a\nsmall molecule, both of which are already FDA-approved for other indications.\nWe are hopeful, therefore, that we will be able to move quickly to market,\"\nsaid William J. Gastle, President and CEO of Microbix.\nThe Angiostatic Co...