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Quest PharmaTech Announces Results Showing its Photosensitizer, SL052, is an Effective Immuno-Stimulant when combined with Immunotherapy for the Removal of Solid Tumors
TSX Venture: QPT EDMONTON, March 4 /CNW/ - Quest PharmaTech Inc. (TSX-V: QPT), ("Quest" or the "C...
About this update from Quest Pharmatech Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nTSX Venture: QPT\n\n\nEDMONTON, March 4 /CNW/ - Quest PharmaTech Inc. (TSX-V: QPT), ("Quest" or\nthe "Company") a pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing\nproducts for the treatment of cancer and dermatological conditions, today\nannounced results from a study designed to investigate the effectiveness of\nits proprietary SL052 for photodynamic therapy (PDT) used in combination with\nimmunotherapeutic agents in solid tumor animal models. The study, conducted by\nDr. Mladen Korbelik at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, demonstrated that\nSL052 increased the potency and effectiveness of immunotherapeutic agents when\nused in combination with SL052 PDT.\n\n\nThe results also confirmed that SL052 was an effective and well tolerated\nphotosensitizer for PDT ablation of two highly tumorigenic, solid murine\ntumors. Further, the results demonstrated that photodynamic therapy generated\ndirect local cytotoxicity and induced a systemic immune response, which could\nenhance its therapeutic effect on both primary tumors and metastases at\ndistant sites.\n\n\nThe study tested several applications of SL052 and evaluated host\nrecognition and immunological destruction of solid tumors. The results\nindicate the potential of SL052 PDT for use in combination with cancer\nvaccines to generate a superior immune response compared with vaccines alone.\nThe study also revealed that SL052 PDT may be effectively combined with either\nsingle or multiple-complementary effectors of the host's immune response to\nsubstantially boost the frequency of permanent cures.\n\n\n"The effects of immunotherapy can be amplified when combined with\nphotodynamic therapy, potentially making immunophotodynamic therapy a superior\nsystemic cancer treatment modality," said Thomas Woo, Vice President of\nProduct Development at Quest.\n\n\nSL052 is a non-toxic agent with broad potential to treat a variety of\nsolid tumors using photodynamic (light activation) therapy or sonodynamic\n(ultrasound activation) therapy. Photodynamic therapy is applicable for\nsuperficial level solid tumors and sonodynamic therapy targets more deeply\nseated solid tumors.\n\n\n"These results further define the therapeutic profile of SL052," stated\nDr. Madi R. Madiyalakan, Chief Executive Officer at Quest. "While its\nactivation th...